ABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori [H.Pylori] plays a fundamental role in the causation of duodenal ulcer. This study was conducted to elucidate the prevalence of H.Pylori in patients with a perforated duodenal ulcer and to determine whether eradication of H.Pylori prevent ulcer recurrence following simple repair of the perforation. Eighty three patients admitted with perforated duodenal ulcer, only seventy seven patients treated with simple closure included in our study. Sixty five patients [84.4%] who had H.Pylori infection were randomly divided into triple therapy group [34 patients] and alone group [31patients]. Follow up endoscopy was performed at 8 w, 16 w and 1 year to show the ulcer healing and determine H.Pylori. The eradication of H.Pylori was significantly higher in triple therapy group than omeprazole alone group [at 8 weeks 91.2% vs. 22.6% respectively]. Initial healing of ulcer was significantly better in eradication group and after one year the difference in ulcer recurrence between the two groups was statistically significant [2[6.1%] in eradication group vs. 8 [29.6%] in omeprazole alone group P=0.001]. H.Pylori was present at a high ratio in patients with duodenal ulcer perforation. Eradication of H.Pylori after simple closure of a perforated duodenal ulcer reduces the incidence of recurrence ulcer