āCan surgery fix stomach ulcers?ā
I have stomach ulcers. Can surgery fix stomach ulcers?
2 Answers
Surgery is not the primary mode of therapy for stomach (gastric) ulcers; >60% of gastric ulcers heal spontaneously with the use of proton pump inhibitors to decrease acid production and this increases to >90% with eradication of H. pylori infection. H. pylori can be detected with stool antigen testing.
Surgery is only indicated in cases of perforation, gastric outlet obstruction, suspected cancer and last intractable disease. The definition of intractable is unclear so a discussion with your gastroenterologist and exhaustion of all non-operative methods should be the first choice.
Surgery is only indicated in cases of perforation, gastric outlet obstruction, suspected cancer and last intractable disease. The definition of intractable is unclear so a discussion with your gastroenterologist and exhaustion of all non-operative methods should be the first choice.