Why do almost all perforated gastric ulcers require a surgery?
Perforated gastric ulcers constitute 40% of overall perforated peptic ulcers, and duodenal ulcers the remaining 60%.
- Unlike perforated duodenal ulcers, which may be treated nonoperatively if the ulcer has sealed itself as demonstrated on Gastrografin swallow, perforated gastric ulcers usually fail to heal spontaneously.
- They are associated with a risk of adenocarcinoma.
- Gastric ulcer disease produces a hypoacidic environment with resultant bacterial overgrowth and abscess formation with perforation.
