Excisional biopsy of perforated gastric ulcer: mandatory or potentially harmful?

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the morbidity associated with excisional biopsy in patients with spontaneous gastric perforation. Methods A retrospective, single-center, observational study was performed. All consecutive patients with spontaneous gastric perforation who underwent surgical therapy were included. Outcomes were assessed concerning the performance of excisional biopsy. Results A total of 135 adult patients were enrolled. Of these, 110 (81.5%) patients underwent excisional biopsy, while 17 (12.6%) did not. The remaining eight (5.9%) patients who underwent gastric resection were excluded from the analysis. Patients undergoing excisional biopsy developed significantly higher rates of postoperative complications ( p = 0.007) and experienced more severe complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, particularly type III and above ( p = 0.017). However, no significant differences were observed regarding in-hospital mortality, reoperation, suture dehiscence, or length of hospital stay. Conclusion Excisional biopsy for gastric perforation has been shown to be associated with increased morbidity. Surgical closure followed by early endoscopic biopsy may be a superior approach for gastric perforation management to rule out malignancy.