Intractable peptic ulcer disease

The intractable ulcer is usually complicated because of posterior penetration, obstruction, or postbulbar or channel location; or it is an atypical ulcer such as those occurring with the ZE syndrome, hyperparathyroidism, and the milk alkali syndrome. The management of intractability depends upon finding the cause and initiating the appropriate therapy. Many abdominal diseases may masquerade as intractable ulcers, so every patient must be evaluated thoroughly to prove that his ulcer is indeed intractable.