An interventional study of Laparoscopic Falciform Ligament Flap Repair and Laparoscopic Omental Patch Repair in Perforated Peptic Ulcer, Peptic Ulcer Perforation and Duodenal Ulcer Perforation, sponsored by Assiut University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-10.
Sponsored by Assiut University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Peptic ulcer perforation is a serious complication of peptic ulcer disease that requires urgent surgical treatment. The standard minimally invasive method is laparoscopic omental patch repair, in which a portion of the patient's greater omentum is placed over the ulcer perforation to seal the defect. However, in some patients, the omentum may be scarred, retracted, or unavailable due to prior surgery, and postoperative leakage can still occur. The falciform ligament, which is a well-vascularized tissue fold connecting the liver to the anterior abdominal wall, serves as an alternative tissue flap for ulcer closure.
The purpose of this prospective randomized clinical trial is to compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic falciform ligament flap repair against conventional laparoscopic omental patch repair in adult patients with perforated gastric or duodenal peptic ulcers measuring 2 cm or less.
Participants eligible for laparoscopic repair are randomly assigned during surgery to one of two groups:
The primary objective is to determine whether the falciform ligament flap reduces or demonstrates comparable rates of postoperative repair-site leakage within 30 days after surgery. Secondary objectives include comparing operative duration, intra-operative blood loss, rates of conversion to open surgery, post-operative pain scores, length of hospital stay, 30-day morbidity and mortality, and endoscopic ulcer healing at 6 to 8 weeks of follow-up.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants undergo laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer using a conventional omental (Graham) patch. A well-vascularized omental tongue is mobilized on its pedicle, laid over the perforation defect, secured by tying pre-placed full-thickness sero-muscular sutures over it, and reinforced with 2 to 3 additional interrupted sutures anchoring the omentum to the ulcer edge.
Procedure: Laparoscopic Omental Patch Repair
Participants undergo laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer using a pedicled falciform ligament flap. The falciform ligament is mobilized by dividing its peritoneal attachment to the anterior abdominal wall cephalad toward the liver until a tension-free pedicle of adequate length and mobility is achieved, which is then delivered over the defect and secured with pre-placed sutures.
Procedure: Laparoscopic Falciform Ligament Flap Repair
The falciform ligament is mobilized by dividing its peritoneal attachment to the anterior abdominal wall cephalad toward the liver until a tension-free pedicle of adequate length and mobility is achieved. The pedicle is delivered over the perforation and secured using pre-placed interrupted full-thickness sero-muscular absorbable sutures.
A well-vascularized omental tongue is mobilized on its pedicle, laid over the perforation defect, and secured by tying 2 to 3 pre-placed interrupted full-thickness sero-muscular sutures over it. It is then reinforced with 2 to 3 additional interrupted sutures anchoring the omentum to the ulcer edge.
Number of participants with post-operative repair-site leakage
Post-operative repair-site leakage is defined as clinical leakage (e.g., persistent bilious or enteric discharge from intra-abdominal drains, worsening signs of peritonitis) and/or radiologically confirmed leakage using an oral water-soluble contrast examination or contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan.
Time frame: 30 days post-surgery
No study locations are listed for this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Assiut University