Justas Balčiūnas¹, Ernestas Rinkevičius¹, Dominyka Surgontaitė¹

¹ Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Academy of Medicine. Faculty of Medicine.

 

ABSTRACT

Gastric or duodenal perforation is an uncommon but life-threatening condition. The mortality of this pathology can reach up to 40%. Early treatment is the main factor for positive outcomes. Clinical symptoms, examination and radiological tests are the most important parts for early diagnosis of perforation. On the other hand, not in all cases frontal chest X-ray indicates perforation. In cases like these for further specification of the diagnosis, computed tomography may be needed and urgent surgical treatment is postponed. Operative treatment covering the defect with an omental patch is the most common method, but occasionally some patients are eligible for conservative treatment.  In this literature review, we will conclude gastroduodenal perforation causes, diagnostic and treatment recommendations.

Keywords: peptic ulcer, gastroduodenal perforation; diagnostics; management