Peritonitis from Gastroduodenal Ulcer Perforation: Four Years’ Experience in a Sub-Saharan Hospital

Biological & Medical Sciences

Introduction: Peritonitis from gastroduodenal ulcer perforation is a severe, life-threatening condition with no standardized treatment approach. This study aims to analyse the epidemiology and evaluate the therapeutic and evolutionary management methods for gastroduodenal ulcer perforations. Materials and Methods**: Over a four-year period, a retrospective study was conducted on 70 patients admitted to the surgery department of the Amities’ Hospital in Nouakchott (a tertiary structure) for peritonitis due to gastroduodenal ulcer perforation. Results: Among the 875 abdominal emergencies operated on in our department, 70 patients (8%) presented with peritonitis due to gastroduodenal ulcer perforation, including 63 men and 7 women, with an average age of 37.64 years (range: 16-64 years). Surgical intervention involved simple suturing of the perforation edges. Immediate postoperative outcomes were straightforward in 45 patients, and there were 2 recorded deaths. The average hospital stay was 6.22 days, with a range of 4 to 20 days. Conclusion: Peritonitis from gastroduodenal ulcer perforation is a serious condition. In Mauritania, as in some sub-Saharan countries, the effectiveness of management relies heavily on early diagnosis, technical resources, and the promptness of surgical intervention.

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