Gastric resection

Abstract

The term peptic ulcer disease refers to both gastric and duodenal ulcers. Despite this fact, ulcers in either location can vary widely in terms of pathophysiology and treatment. Peptic ulcers may present with epigastric pain, bleeding (acute GI bleed with hematemesis or chronic anemia), perforation, or obstructive symptoms (for pre-pyloric and duodenal ulcers). The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with H. pylori and frequent use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Smoking can be an exacerbating factor in peptic ulcer disease. Gastric ulcers are more likely to be cancerous than duodenal ulcers and endoscopic biopsy is indicated, especially for gastric ulcers that are very slow to heal. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2010.