The use of ligamantum falciforme in duodenal ulcus perforation

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare safety and efficacy of falciformopexy with omentopexy in surgery for peptic ulcer perforation.Method: Medical records of 30 patients with duodenal perforation due to peptic ulcus who were admitted to Turgut Ozal Medical Center Emergency Department from April 2006 to March 2007 were reviewed. All patients underwent surgery, either with omentopexy technique (group A, n=15) or falciformopexy technique (group B, n=15). In addition to demographic information, hemoglobin and leucocytes count, operating time, blood pressure, pulse rate, perforation size, oral feeding time after surgery, complications and hospital stay were noted.Results: There was no significant difference in the sex, age, blood pressure, perforation size, operating time, oral feeding time and hospital stay between the two groups. Hemoglobin and leucocytes count was significantly higher for falciformopexy rather than omentopexy group.One patient had an evisceration; one patient had an atelectasis; one patient had pneumonia and two patients had wound infections in omentopexi group. In falciformopexy group, one patient had pneumonia; one patient had a wound infection and one patient had a leak.Conclusion: The present study shows that falciformopexy can be performed without increasing risk of complication, and it is an acceptable alternative to omentopexy for duodenal ulcer perforation when omentum is weak for closure of perforation area.Key words: duodenal ulcer perforation, falciformopexy