Objectives: To compare the results of laparoscopic and open operations in patients with perforated peptic ulcer.
Design: Retrospective analysis.
Setting: Central hospital, Norway.
Subjects: 74 patients (36 men, 38 women, median age 69.5 years (18-86)) admitted with perforated peptic ulcers from November 1991-May 1996.
Interventions: Suture of the ulcer, patching with the greater omentum and lavage, in 49 by open operation and 25 laparoscopically.
Main outcome measures: Duration of postoperative hospital stay, operating time, number of doses of analgesic, postoperative body temperature, complications, and mortality.
Results: There was a significant difference (p = 0.0001) in median operating time: 100 minutes (range 48-160) in the laparoscopic group and 50 minutes (range 20-160) in the open group. The median hospital stay was 8 days in both groups: range 3-23 days in the laparoscopic group and 2-28 days in the open group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to median number of doses of analgesic, median body temperature, complications or mortality.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic operation for perforated peptic ulcer can be considered as safe as open operation.