Emergent Repair of a Perforated Giant Duodenal Ulcer in a Patient With an Unmanaged Ulcer History

Abstract

Giant duodenal ulcers (GDUs) are full-thickness disruptions of the gastrointestinal epithelium greater than 3cm in diameter. The significant size and disease chronicity lead to deleterious outcomes and high mortality risk if ulcer progression is not halted. While still prevalent in developing countries, GDUs are increasingly rare in industrialized nations. Here, we present the case of an 82-year-old woman with perforated GDU requiring emergent surgical intervention complicated by prior duodenal surgery requiring a previously unreported triple-layered omental patch. Discussion of this technique and novel approaches to GDU repair ensue.