Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A review

• Main Author: Elroy Patrick Weledji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-06-01
• Series: Surgery in Practice and Science
• Subjects: Upper gastro-intestinal bleeding; Acute; Resuscitation; Endoscopy; Radio-embolisation; surgery
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666262020300024

Gastrointestinal haemorrhage is potentially life threatening. Resuscitation, clinically diagnosing and treating the underlying problem are the principles of management. As most gastrointestinal haemorrhage cease spontaneously, there is greater importance in non- operative intervention. Radio-embolisation is a growing useful adjunct in available armamentarium for non-operative management. The definitive management of upper GI hemorrhage is indicated by the overall risk of re-bleeding and morbidity (Rockall risk score). Failure to respond to endoscopic and medical management is an indication for urgent surgery. New endoscopic techniques and radiological embolisation have decreased the role of surgery in management, but collaboration between the endoscopist and the surgeon remains.