Duodenal ulcer perforation whilst on cimetidine therapy.

Nine cases of perforation whilst patients received cimetidine therapy were identified and followed prospectively. There was a high correlation with the other major complications of duodenal ulceration: pyloric stenosis and haemorrhage. Initially, three of the nine patients had simple suture of the perforation, but eventually all required truncal vagotomy and a drainage procedure. The follow-up ranges from 6 months to 2.5 years and the results in the surviving patients are good. The preoperative identification of this group, being established medical failures with the high probability of requiring necessary definitive surgery, will aid the surgical management of this condition.