Gastric perforation biopsy : is it obsolete?

Abstract

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to test the established hypothesis that biopsies of spontaneous gastric perforations should be taken to rule out cancer. METHODS A prospective observational study was performed. Consecutive patients with spontaneous gastric perforation were included. Biopsies of the edges of the perforation were submitted for histological evaluation. The epithelial type as well as the nature of the pathology were evaluated. RESULTS Sixty-eight patients were included. Eight (12%) biopsies revealed duodenal origin. Sixty (88%) biopsies revealed gastric mucosa of which 33 (48%) could be specifically typed. All biopsies revealed benign ulceration. No malignancies were detected in these biopsies or on subsequent gastroscopic follow up. CONCLUSION This study suggests that routine intraoperative biopsy of gastric perforation may be questioned. Biopsy is probably better performed endoscopically after recovery.