Large-bowel surgery, 1979: self-assessment.

Evidence of wide variability in the immediate results of large-bowel surgery stimulated self-assessment during 1979. The hazards of large-bowel surgery can usually be avoided by good bowel preparation, sound anastomotic technique, primary resection in large bowel emergencies, avoidance of anastomosis when hazardous, and antibiotic lavage for extant or potential peritoneal and wound contamination.     

吲哚菁绿荧光显像技术在腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术中的临床应用价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨吲哚菁绿荧光显像技术在腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术中的临床应用价值。方法：选取2020 年6月到2021年6月于我院行腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术的患者112例,按照随机数字表法分为研究组和对照组,每组各56例。两组均采用腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术治疗,研究组术中应用吲哚菁绿荧光显像技术观察吻合口肠段血运情况。比较两组患者手术相关指标、术后并发症发生率、吻合口漏、吻合口出血发生率及围手术期死亡率。结果：两组患者术中均无死亡,两组患者术中出血量、手术时间、首次肛门排气时间、下床活动时间及术中死亡率比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。研究组腹腔出血、腹腔感染、吻合口漏、吻合口出血发生率显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,两组肠梗阻、切口感染、围手术期死亡率比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论：应用吲哚菁绿荧光显像技术可以显著降低腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术患者腹腔出血、腹腔感染、吻合口漏、吻合口出血发生率,在腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术中具有较好的应用价值。     

Impact of variability among surgeons on postoperative morbidity and mortality and ultimate survival.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the differences among surgeons in postoperative complications, postoperative mortality, and survival in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. DESIGN--Prospective study of patients with colorectal cancer managed by one of 13 consultant surgeons, none of whom had a special interest in colorectal surgery. SETTING--Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. PATIENTS--645 sequential patients with colorectal cancer presenting over the six years from 1974 to 1979. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Postoperative complications, postoperative mortality (within 30 days), and survival (up to 10 years); predictive factors for postoperative mortality and survival; and relative hazard rate ratios for individual surgeons. RESULTS--The proportion of patients undergoing apparently curative resection varied among surgeons from 40% to 76%; overall postoperative mortality varied from 8% to 30%. After curative resection postoperative mortality varied from 0% to 20%, local recurrence from 0% to 21%, and the rate of anastomotic leak from 0% to 25%. Survival at 10 years in patients who underwent curative resection varied from 20% to 63%, two year survival in those who underwent palliative resection varied from 7% to 32%, and median survival in those who underwent palliative diversion varied from one to eight months. The hazard rate ratios among individual surgeons, taking into account the identified risk factors, varied from 0.56 to 2.03, from 0.17 to 1.92, and from 0.57 to 1.50 for curative resection, palliative resection, and palliative diversion, respectively. CONCLUSION--There were significant variations in patient outcome among surgeons after surgery for colorectal cancer; such differences compromise survival. A considerable improvement in overall survival might be achieved if such surgery were undertaken by surgeons with a special interest in colorectal surgery or surgical oncology.     

Clinical Value of Preventative Ileostomy Following Ultra-Low Anterior Rectal Resection

The objective was to evaluate the clinical value of preventative ileostomy following ultralow anterior rectal resection in decreasing the incidence of anastomotic leakage. For this purpose, 62 cases that had undergone ultralow anterior rectal resection during the period from June 2007 to June 2008 were included in this study. Preventative ileostomy was performed in 36 cases (group A) and 26 cases with no preventative ileostomy performed were included as controls (group B). The incidence rate of anastomotic leakage in both groups was compared. The results show that five cases in group A reported anastomotic leakage while no anastomotic leakage was reported in group B. Therefore, it was concluded that preventative ileostomy could effectively decrease the incidence of anastomotic leakage.     

护理干预在直肠癌前切除术后并发吻合口瘘的应用及效果

目的：探讨护理干预在直肠癌前切除术后并发吻合口瘘的应用及效果。方法：将179例患者分为对照组和观察组,分别给予 常规护理和综合护理,观察护理干预在直肠癌前切除术后并发吻合口瘘的应用效果。结果：对照组术后3 d内5例患者发生吻合 口瘘,3例患者术后4-7 d发生吻合口瘘;观察组术后3 d内1例患者发生吻合口瘘,1例患者术后4-7 d发生吻合口瘘,两组吻合 口发生率差异有统计学意义（x2=3.880,P＜0.05）。经过护理和治疗后,观察组患者吻合口瘘愈合时间明显短于对照组（t=4.026,P＜ 0.05）。对照组SAS 阳性率69.23%,观察组50.00%,二者之间具有统计学差异（x2=5.186,P＜0.05）;对照组SDS阳性率61.54%,观 察组40.00%,二者之间具有统计学差异（x2=4.978,P＜0.05）。结论：合理有效的综合护理措施可以减少吻合口瘘和医患矛盾的发 生,提高患者对治疗的满意度,促进医患关系的和谐。     

Resection for colorectal cancer in the very old: are the risks too high?

Altogether 277 consecutive patients aged 70 or more who were admitted for resection of colorectal cancer between 1975 and 1985 were studied. The postoperative complications and mortality in the 175 patients aged 70-79 were compared with those in the 102 patients aged 80 or more. The overall mortality was 11%. Mortality was significantly higher after resection in the older age group even when deaths from widespread malignancy were excluded from the analysis. After curative resection mortality was 2% (2/120) in the younger group and 7% (4/60) in the older group, but after palliative resection of tumours with local or distant spread mortality was significantly higher, at 21% (9/44) and 38% (12/32), respectively. An equal but high proportion of patients in both age groups suffered major complications, but complications caused significantly more deaths in the older group. The length of stay in hospital was not significantly different between the age groups.Patients should not be denied resection of a colorectal cancer because of age alone, especially if a curative operation is possible. The increased risk of death from major complications, particularly after palliative resection, should, however, be taken into account when an operation on patients over 80 is being considered.     

Increasing incidence and mortality from myocardial infarction in Stockholm county.

A study was undertaken to examine trends in the incidence and mortality of myocardial infarction in Sweden. All cases (n = 19908) of myocardial infarction diagnosed in the population of Stockholm county during 1974-80 were identified by means of the cause of death register and the inpatient care register. Information on patients at risk was obtained from the civil registration system. The relative risk of developing, or dying of, myocardial infarction in one specific year, compared with the average for the whole period, was taken as the basis for describing the trends. For men in Stockholm the incidence as well as the mortality was appreciably increased; the annual increase in incidence was 3% and in mortality 4%. There were no signs of decreasing lethality. For women there was an appreciable increase in incidence; for mortality the result was less specific but was compatible with an increase. The observed increases in incidence and mortality appeared to be real and were probably not due to an increasing tendency for patients to seek hospital treatment or for doctors to make the diagnosis. The reason for the increase is unknown.     

Survey of gastroenteritis in children admitted to hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1971-5.

In a survey of 674 children admitted to the main gastroenteritis unit in Newcastle upon Tyne from 1971 to 1975 there was a noticeable reduction in the incidence of severe dehydration and hypernatraemia, though there was no appreciable change in many characteristics of the patients. This period coincided locally (and nationally) with a determined effort on the part of health visitors and doctors to encourage mothers to breast-feed and to advise them to avoid giving concentrated milk feeds and ensure an adequate water intake during febrile illnesses. This may have contributed towards a reduction in the severity of the illness in children with gastroenteritis admitted to hospital. The overall mortality and the incidence of neurological complications in cases of hypernatraemia are low compared with previous reports.     

Intrathoracic versus Cervical Anastomosis after Resection of Esophageal Cancer: A matched pair analysis of 72 patients in a single center study

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the early postoperative outcome of esophageal cancer treated by subtotal esophageal resection, gastric interposition and either intrathoracic or cervical anastomosis in a single center study. METHODS: 72 patients who received either a cervical or intrathoracic anastomosis after esophageal resection for esophageal cancer were matched by age and tumor stage. Collected data from these patients were analyzed retrospectively regarding morbidity and mortality rates. RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage rate was significantly lower in the intrathoracic anastomosis group than in the cervical anastomosis group (4 of 36 patients (11 %) vs. 11 of 36 patients (31 %); p = 0.040). The hospital stay was significantly shorter in the intrathoracic anastomosis group compared to the cervical anastomosis group (14 (range 10-110) vs. 26 days (range 12 - 105); p = 0.012). Wound infection and temporary paresis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve occurred significantly more often in the cervical anastomosis group compared to the intrathoracic anastomosis group (28 % vs. 0 %; p = 0.002 and 11 % vs. 0 %; p = 0.046). The overall Inhospital mortality rate was 6 % (4 of 72 patients) without any differences between the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present data support the assumption that the transthoracic approach with an intrathoracic anastomosis compared to a cervical esophagogastrostomy is the safer and more beneficial procedure in patients with carcinoma of the lower and middle third of the esophagus due to a significant reduction of anastomotic leakage, wound infection, paresis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and shorter hospital stay.     

三种术式重建食管治疗食管癌和贲门癌的临床研究

目的:提高食管癌和贲门癌的根治切除率和临床治愈率,预防吻合口瘘。方法:设计了Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ三种术式:上、中段食管癌采用右胸前外侧切口,经第3或4肋间开胸,左腹直肌旁或左肋弓下斜切口开腹和右颈部切口,保留2～3cm颈段食管,食管次全切除,贲门部或部分胃切除,在颈部食管胃端侧分层吻合(Ⅰ式)。中段食管癌采用左胸前外侧切口,经第4或第5肋间开胸,腹部切口同前,左颈部切口,保留3～4cm颈段食管,食管次全切除,部分胃切除,在左颈部食管胃端侧分层吻合(Ⅱ式)。贲门癌采用左胸前外侧切口,经第5或4肋间开胸,腹部切口同前,中段食管和近半胃或纵半胃切除,在主动脉弓下食管胃端侧分层吻合(Ⅲ式)。尽可能清除区域淋巴结,吻合口均用大网膜包盖加固。结果:食管癌和贲门癌总切除率92．1%(174/189),其中根治性切除率为75．1%(142/189),探查率(未切除)为7．9%(15/189),三种术式的总吻合口瘘发生率为4．0%(7/174),无围手术期死亡。结论:三种术式可提高根治性切除率,大网膜包盖加固吻合口可减少瘘的发生率,食管胃分层吻合法可降低吻合口狭窄的发生率,临床治愈率高,围手术期死亡率低。     

The C-seal: A Biofragmentable Drain Protecting the Stapled Colorectal Anastomosis from Leakage

Colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL) is a serious complication in colorectal surgery leading to high morbidity and mortality rates¹. The incidence of AL varies between 2.5 and 20% ^2-5. Over the years, many strategies aimed at lowering the incidence of anastomotic leakage have been examined^{6, 7}.The cause of AL is probably multifactorial. Etiological factors include insufficient arterial blood supply, tension on the anastomosis, hematoma and/or infection at the anastomotic site, and co-morbid factors of the patient as diabetes and atherosclerosis⁸. Furthermore, some anastomoses may be insufficient from the start due to technical failure.Currently a new device is developed in our institute aimed at protecting the colorectal anastomosis and lowering the incidence of AL. This so called C-seal is a biofragmentable drain, which is stapled to the anastomosis with the circular stapler. It covers the luminal side of the colorectal anastomosis thereby preventing leakage.The C-seal is a thin-walled tube-like drain, with an approximate diameter of 4 cm and an approximate length of 25 cm (figure 1). It is a tubular device composed of biodegradable polyurethane. Two flaps with adhesive tape are found at one end of the tube. These flaps are used to attach the C-seal to the anvil of the circular stapler, so that after the anastomosis is made the C-seal can be pulled through the anus. The C-seal remains in situ for at least 10 days. Thereafter it will lose strength and will degrade to be secreted from the body together with the gastrointestinal natural contents.The C-seal does not prevent the formation of dehiscences. However, it prevents extravasation of faeces into the peritoneal cavity. This means that a gap at the anastomotic site does not lead to leakage.Currently, a phase II study testing the C-seal in 35 patients undergoing (colo-)rectal resection with stapled anastomosis is recruiting. The C-seal can be used in both open procedures as well as laparoscopic procedures. The C-seal is only applied in stapled anastomoses within 15cm from the anal verge. In the video, application of the C-seal is shown in an open extended sigmoid resection in a patient suffering from diverticular disease with a stenotic colon.     

Intestinal Tissues Induce an SNP Mutation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa That Enhances Its Virulence: Possible Role in Anastomotic Leak

The most feared complication following intestinal resection is anastomotic leakage. In high risk areas (esophagus/rectum) where neoadjuvant chemoradiation is used, the incidence of anastomotic leaks remains unacceptably high (～10%) even when performed by specialist surgeons in high volume centers. The aims of this study were to test the hypothesis that anastomotic leakage develops when pathogens colonizing anastomotic sites become in vivo transformed to express a tissue destroying phenotype. We developed a novel model of anastomotic leak in which rats were exposed to pre-operative radiation as in cancer surgery, underwent distal colon resection and then were intestinally inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common colonizer of the radiated intestine. Results demonstrated that intestinal tissues exposed to preoperative radiation developed a significant incidence of anastomotic leak (>60%; p<0.01) when colonized by P. aeruginosa compared to radiated tissues alone (0%). Phenotype analysis comparing the original inoculating strain (MPAO1- termed P1) and the strain retrieved from leaking anastomotic tissues (termed P2) demonstrated that P2 was altered in pyocyanin production and displayed enhanced collagenase activity, high swarming motility, and a destructive phenotype against cultured intestinal epithelial cells (i.e. apoptosis, barrier function, cytolysis). Comparative genotype analysis between P1 and P2 revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation in the mexT gene that led to a stop codon resulting in a non-functional truncated protein. Replacement of the mutated mexT gene in P2 with mexT from the original parental strain P1 led to reversion of P2 to the P1 phenotype. No spontaneous transformation was detected during 20 passages in TSB media. Use of a novel virulence suppressing compound PEG/Pi prevented P. aeruginosa transformation to the tissue destructive phenotype and prevented anastomotic leak in rats. This work demonstrates that in vivo transformation of microbial pathogens to a tissue destroying phenotype may have important implications in the pathogenesis of anastomotic leak.     

Gastric cancer: a curable disease in Britain.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether more vigorous efforts aimed at earlier diagnosis allied to radical surgical resection lead to improved survival of patients with gastric cancer. DESIGN--Prospective audit of all cases of gastric cancer treated during 1970-89. SETTING--Department of surgery, general hospital. SUBJECTS--493 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Operative mortality, postoperative morbidity, and five year survival after radical potentially curative resection. RESULTS--207 (42%) patients underwent potentially curative resection. The proportion of all patients in whom this was possible increased significantly (p < 0.01) from 31% in the first five year period to 53% in the last five year period. The proportion of patients who had early gastric cancer rose from 1% to 15% (p < 0.01) and stage I disease rose from 4% to 26% (p < 0.001). After potentially curative resection, mortality 30 days after operation was 6%. Operative mortality decreased from 9% in the 1970s to 5% in the 1980s. Likewise, the incidence of serious postoperative complications decreased from 33% in the 1970s to 17% in the 1980s (p < 0.01). Five year survival was 60% in patients who underwent curative resection, 98% in patients with early gastric cancer, and 93%, 69%, and 28% in stage I, II, and III disease respectively. By the late 1980s five year survival after operation was about 70%. CONCLUSIONS--These findings suggest that an increasing proportion of patients with gastric cancer could be diagnosed at a relatively early pathological stage when about two thirds are curable by means of radical surgery.     

腹腔镜结肠癌根治术治疗老年局部进展期结肠癌的疗效和安全性及对患者免疫功能的影响

目的:比较分析腹腔镜和开腹结肠癌根治术治疗老年局部进展期结肠癌的临床疗效和安全性及对患者免疫功能的影响。方法:根据随机数字表法,将64例老年局部进展期结肠癌患者随机分为腹腔镜组和开腹组,每组各32例,分别接受腹腔镜、开腹结肠癌根治术治疗。比较两组手术相关指标、手术前后免疫功能变化、术后近远期并发症的发生情况及预后。结果:与开腹组比较,腹腔镜组患者手术时间明显延长,而术中出血量、胃肠功能恢复时间则明显缩短(P<0.05)。两组淋巴结清扫数比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后3个月,腹腔镜组CD4+、CD4+/CD8+比值均明显高于开腹组(P<0.05),且与术前比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。与开腹组比较,腹腔镜组患者术后切口感染的发生率明显降低(P<0.05),两组其他近期并发症如吻合口瘘、吻合口出血,远期并发症如黏连性肠梗阻、切口疝的发生率比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。腹腔镜组与开腹组术后2年的局部复发率、1年和2年生存率比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:腹腔镜手术和开腹手术治疗老年局部进展期结肠癌患者的临床疗效和预后相当,但腹腔镜手术对患者的免疫功能影响更小,且安全性更高。     

Incidence,mortality and outcome of meningiomas: A population-based study from Germany

BackgroundMeningiomas are mostly benign tumors that originate from the coverings of the brain and spinal cord. Compared to malignant glial tumors, meningiomas are relatively understudied with regard to their risk factors and epidemiology. In particular, population-based data on cancer burden and patient outcomes are scant.MethodsPopulation-based data from Saarland, a federal state in South-Western Germany, were used; the data included 992 patients diagnosed with a first meningioma between 2000 and 2015. Incidence and mortality rates—as well as estimates of observed and relative survival and cumulative incidence of tumor recurrence up to 10 years after diagnosis—were derived by sex, age, WHO grade, and whether or not the patient had undergone surgery.ResultsThis population-based study not only included patients treated in the regional university hospital but also those treated elsewhere or patients without any surgical treatment. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 63 years, and 70%, 28% and 3% had WHO grade I, II and III meningiomas, respectively. Ten-year observed and relative survival of all patients combined was 72% and 91% respectively. Tumor-related mortality varied by sex and increased with age at diagnosis and the WHO grade of the tumor. The overall 10-year cumulative incidence of meningioma recurrence was 9%.ConclusionThis analysis represents the first modern population-based analysis of meningioma incidence and mortality and outcomes of patients with such neoplasms in Germany. Derived from an unselected sample of patients, this study may fill a hitherto existing gap in the literature on meningiomas.     

Importance of additional microvascular anastomosis in esophageal reconstruction after salvage esophagectomy

Esophageal reconstruction after salvage esophagectomy in patients who have undergone curative-intent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer is associated with a significant risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. In particular, anastomotic leakage can cause severe and potentially fatal complications, including mediastinitis and pneumonia. The authors performed esophageal reconstruction with a pedicled right colon graft after salvage esophagectomy in eight patients. To decrease the rate of anastomotic leakage, the authors performed an additional microvascular anastomosis at the distal end of the graft. The distal stumps of the ileocolic artery and vein were anastomosed to the cervical vessels. After surgery, aspiration pneumonia and localized wound infection were observed in two patients each, but slight anastomotic leakage was observed in only one patient. Postoperative swallowing function was satisfactory in all patients. Although the incidence of anastomotic leakage is reportedly high, the authors observed anastomotic leakage in only one of eight patients. The authors believe that additional microvascular anastomosis helps prevent anastomotic leakage, especially in patients who have undergone salvage esophagectomy after curative chemoradiotherapy.     

The Incidence,Clinical Outcomes,and Risk Factors of Thrombocytopenia in Intra-Abdominal Infection Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Studies on the incidence and risk factors of thrombocytopenia among intra-abdominal infection patients remain absent, hindering efficacy assessments regarding thrombocytopenia prevention strategies.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 267 consecutively enrolled patients with intra-abdominal infections. Occurrence of thrombocytopenia was scanned for all patients. All-cause 28-day mortality was recorded. Variables from univariate analyses that were associated with occurrence of hospital-acquired thrombocytopenia were included in a multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine thrombocytopenia predictors.

Results

Median APACHE II score and SOFA score of the whole cohort was 12 and 3 respectively. The overall ICU mortality was 7.87% and the 28-day mortality was 8.98%. The incidence of thrombocytopenia among intra-abdominal infection patients was 21.73%. Regardless of preexisting or hospital-acquired one, thrombocytopenia is associated with an increased ICU mortality and 28-day mortality as well as length of ICU or hospital stay. A higher SOFA and ISTH score at admission were significant hospital-acquired thrombocytopenia risk factors.

Conclusions

This is the first study to identify a high incidence of thrombocytopenia in patients with intra-abdominal infections. Our findings suggest that the inflammatory milieu of intra-abdominal infections may uniquely predispose those patients to thrombocytopenia. More effective thrombocytopenia prevention strategies are necessary in intra-abdominal infection patients.     

Experience of coronary care in diabetes.

During 1968-1973, 94 patients with diabetes were admitted to a coronary care unit (CCU) on 99 occasions with proved myocardial infarction. Altogether 24 of them (25-5%) died, giving an overall mortality at the time of discharge of 24% for the total admissions. This was just significantly higher than the 19% mortality recorded among non-diabetics treated in the same period but was much lower than that among diabetics treated for myocardial infarction before the advent of CCUs. No definite correlation was found between the type of anti-diabetic treatment and either mortality or the incidence of primary ventricular fibrillation. Patients with "poor" control of the diabetes before admission showed a significantly higher mortality than those with "good" control, but there was no significant difference in mortality between those with previous good control and non-diabetics.     

Hyperuricemia and gout are associated with cancer incidence and mortality: A meta-analysis based on cohort studies

The association between hyperuricemia or gout and cancer risk has been investigated in various published studies, but their results are conflicting. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate whether hyperuricemia or gout was associated with the cancer incidence and mortality. Linear and nonlinear trend analyses were conducted to explore the dose–response association between them. The pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate cancer risk. A total of 24 articles (33 independent studies) were eligible for inclusion. When compared participants with the highest SUA (hyperuricemia) levels and those with the lowest SUA levels, the pooled RR was 1.08 (95% CI, 1.04–1.12), it was significantly associated among males but not among females (males, RR = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03–1.11; females, RR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.96–1.17). Hyperuricemia increased total cancer mortality (RR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05–1.26), but a significant association was observed in females rather than in males (females: RR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.09–1.45; males, RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.80–1.30). Linear relationships of SUA levels with overall cancer incidence (p for nonlinearity = 0.238) and overall cancer mortality (p for nonlinearity = 0.263) were identified. However, 1 mg/dL increment in SUA levels was weakly significant in overall cancer incidence (RR = 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01–1.01) but not associated with overall cancer mortality (RR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.99–1.03). Gout was significantly associated with increased cancer incidence (RR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.12–1.25). In conclusion, Hyperuricemia or gout was associated with higher cancer incidence and mortality. Though a potential linear relationship between them was found, we'd better treat this result with caution.     

Epidemiology and Course of Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage in North-east Scotland

A prospective study was made of 817 consecutive episodes of major gastrointestinal haemorrhage in patients admitted to hospital during 1967-8 from the defined population of North-East Scotland. The yearly admission rate was 116 per 100,000 population. Comparison of the data for city and country residents showed no appreciable differences. In the duodenal ulcer group there was an undue incidence of bleeding among foremen and skilled workers and among those who were unmarried or widowed.Both the clinical history and the results of any previous barium meal examinations were unreliable guides to the source of the current haemorrhage. Prognosis was worse for patients who did not have a dyspeptic history and was better for those who had bled on a previous occasion. The simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and aspirin had an adverse effect on the occurrence of bleeding. Forty-seven per cent. of the patients had another major coincidental disease.Mortality was 13·7% in the whole series and 8·6% in those with peptic ulcer (duodenal ulcer 7·1%, gastric ulcer 16·9%). In 28% of the patients further haemorrhage occurred after admission to hospital and caused a 28·8% mortality. Seventy-four patients were already in hospital when they first bled and 44% of them died.