Impact of ranitidine on prognosis after simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcer.

AIM

This randomized controlled study was carried out to evaluate the role of H2 receptor antagonists after simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcer.

METHODS

A total of 192 patients who underwent simple closure for perforated duodenal ulcer were divided into two groups (A: study group and B: control group). Group A patients were treated with H2 receptor antagonists, while the patients in group B received placebo. Only 174 patients were available for endoscopic follow up.

RESULTS

At the end of 24 weeks, only 6 patients out of 90 (6.6%) in group A as compared to 18 patients out of 84 (21.4%) in group B had persistent symptoms of ulcer disease as well as endoscopically proven ulcer (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that H2 receptor antagonists have a definite role and endoscopic follow up is mandatory to define those cases who actually need definitive surgery.