Ulcer surgery and anti-ulcer agents. Changes in surgical activities and sale of anti-ulcer agents in Nord-Tr?ndelag 1975-89

During recent decades the number of operations for peptic ulcer has decreased significantly. The incidence of operations for peptic ulcer or related complications during the period 1975-89 in persons older than 15 years was investigated in the Nord-Tr?ndelag region of Norway, with a population of approximately 100,000. The number of elective surgical procedures decreased by 72% from 1975 to 1989. The greatest reduction was found for duodenal ulcers. The incidence of acute operations decreased by 35%. The main reason was fewer surgical interventions in patients with haemorrhage, since the number of operations for perforation remained almost constant during the period of 15 years. The reduction in surgical treatment can be explained mainly by the introduction of new H2-antagonists in the seventies, leading to more successful pharmacological treatment of peptic ulcer.