The indications for simple closure of perforated duodenal ulcers.

One hundred and sixty-one patients undergoing simple suture of a perforated duodenal ulcer are reviewed retrospectively. Nine patients (6 per cent) suffered a complication of their ulcer during the postoperative period and 3 (2 per cent) of them died. The mean length of follow-up was 26 months and during this period a total of 14 complications was seen in 12 patients. Five of these patients died after a complication of their ulcer. Analysis of the data from patients who had complications of their ulcers indicates that the operation of simple suture of a duodenal ulcer is indicated only in young and middle-aged women.