PEPTIC ULCER PERFORATED

Course overview

PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE REFERS TO AN INSULT TO THE MUCOSA OF THE UPPER DIGESTIVE TRACT RESULTING IN ULCERATION THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE MUCOSA AND INTO THE SUBMUCOSAL LAYERS. PEPTIC ULCERS MOST COMMONLY OCCUR IN THE STOMACH AND DUODENUM THOUGH THEY CAN OCCASIONALLY BE FOUND ELSEWHERE (ESOPHAGUS OR MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM). WHILE THE MAJORITY OF PEPTIC ULCERS ARE INITIALLY ASYMPTOMATIC, CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS RANGE FROM MILD DYSPEPSIA TO COMPLICATIONS INCLUDING GI BLEEDING, PERFORATION, AND GASTRIC OUTLET OBSTRUCTION. THIS ACTIVITY WILL PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE WITH A PRIMARY FOCUS ON THE COMPLEXITY OF PERFORATED PEPTIC ULCER FROM AN EMERGENCY MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE.