Optimal treatment and complications of patients with the perforated upper gastrointestinal tract

Purpose The perforation of the upper gastrointestinal tract is still associated with a high risk of complications and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the optimal treatment and post-treatment complications for this condition. Methods This was a retrospective, single-center study conducted between 2010 and 2019. We analyzed 50 patients with intraperitoneal free air caused by peptic ulcer (44 cases) or cancer (six cases). Results All patients initially received either conservative therapy ( n = 7) or surgery ( n = 43). The nonsurgically cured patients were significantly younger and had mild peritonitis and also had a shorter hospital stay. Two patients were converted to surgery due to worsening symptoms, and one of them was elderly and had a long perforation-to-treatment time. Regarding postoperative complications, patients with Grade II–V ( n = 21) were significantly older and had a poorer physical status, longer perforation-to-surgery time, and higher preoperative CRP and lactate than those with Grade 0–I ( n = 24). Multivariable analyses identified elevated preoperative lactate as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications. The patients with noncurative surgery for perforated advanced gastric cancer all died within 1 year after surgery. Conclusions Consideration should be given to the nonsurgical indications in elderly and delayed treatment patients and the postoperative outcomes of patients with preoperatively elevated lactate levels.