The surgical treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

A description is given of the experience and observations on the treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer of one surgeon working in the University College Hospital of the West Indies between 1952 and 1955. Comment is made upon the frequency of this condition in poorer people, particularly cultivators,and the absence of continuous hyperchlorhydria in these patients. Forty cases have been treated surgically, and 32 followed up. A standard subtotal gastrectomyoperation was performed and the results found generally satisfactory. Post-operative anaemia and failure to gain weight, however, are aired as valid reasons for modification of the operation henceforth to allow passage of food through the duodenum. The relative frequency of haemorrhage from, and perforation of duodenal ulcer have been noted. Various suggestions have been made concerning the reasons for this, and also the uncommon appearance of the classical peritonism of perforated duodenal ulcer (AU)