| Abstract: | A review of 174 consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of perforated peptic ulcer to eight Hunter Region hospitals during 1979–86 is presented. Among the female admissions, the proportion of patients > 70 years of age was twice that in males. One-third of all perforations were in females who accounted for two-thirds of all perforated gastric ulcers. Multivariate analysis revealed that perforations located in the stomach and older age were both significant independent variables adversely affecting outcome following surgery. In contrast, shock at presentation and delay in operating were not statistically significant independent risk factors. |
