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MODIFIED GASTRIC HYPOTHERMIA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF UPPER GASTRO‐INTESTINAL HAEMORRHAGE
Author(s) -
Baume Peter E.,
Wilson Ross
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1972.tb47622.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hypothermia , resuscitation , upper gastrointestinal bleeding , surgery , gastro , stomach , anesthesia , endoscopy , reflux , disease
Modified gastric hypothermia has been used to control upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in six patients who were desperately ill and considered unsuitable for surgery. The case records of the patients are presented, two having suffered from acute erosive gastritis, one having acute stress ulceration, one bleeding in association with severe thrombocytopenia. One patient refused surgery because of a phobic fear of operation, and two patients were eventually found to be bleeding from duodenal ulcers. The two last‐mentioned patients came to operation, and all patients have recovered completely from their episode of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. In all patients there was immediate control of haemorrhage, and In four patients bleeding from the stomach did not recur. In two patients haemorrhage was controlled long enough to allow resuscitation and later elective surgery. There was no morbidity associated with modified gastric hypothermia in these patients. It is suggested that gastric hypothermia may be one adjunctive treatment in the management of patients with severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It has a very limited place in the treatment of such patients, and under no circumstances should it be considered as a replacement for surgical management.