Perforated ulcer | |
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Other names | Ruptured ulcer |
Endoscopic image of a posterior wall duodenal ulcer with a clean base, which is a common cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and could potentially lead to perforation. | |
Specialty | Gastroenterology |
Symptoms | Abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea |
Complications | Bowel perforation, sepsis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage |
Usual onset | Sudden |
Risk factors | Untreated peptic ulcer |
Treatment | Immediate surgery |
A perforated ulcer is a condition in which an untreated ulcer has burned through the mucosal wall in a segment of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., the stomach or colon) allowing gastric contents to leak into the abdominal cavity.