Inhibition of gastric and duodenal proteases in the treatment of haemorrhage from peptic ulcer. II. Clinical observations on the effect of bentonite.

Bentonite, binding gastric and duodenal proteases (Olesen 1972), may support haemostasis in peptic ulcer bleeding. 93 patients with haematemesis and melaena were treated with bentonite. Bleeding stopped within 24 hours in 79 cases (but recurred after treatment in 8) and continued in 14 cases. According to previous criteria, emergency operation would have been performed in 74 of the patients. Now 32 underwent elective operation for chronic ulcer, and surgery was avoided in 13 patients with acute ulcer. Out of 11 patients not operated on because of severe contraindications 7 died (3 from bleeding). Bentonite seems to be of help in arresting acute ulcer bleeding. Intensive observation is necessary, so that operation can be performed if haemostasis fails.