A 15-year-old high school student from Côn Đảo had to undergo emergency surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer after neglecting medical advice to follow up on his chronic condition.
Doctors from Bình Dân Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), currently on a rotation at the Côn Đảo Military-Civilian Medical Center, performed the life-saving operation. The student, identified as Đ.P.T., was admitted with severe abdominal pain radiating from the upper stomach to the lower right abdomen. He had a three-year history of peptic ulcer disease but failed to return for check-ups as instructed.
X-ray and CT scans revealed free air under the diaphragm and a perforation in the gastric antrum — signs of a ruptured stomach ulcer. Doctors quickly confirmed peritonitis caused by the perforation and decided on emergency surgery after consulting specialists at Bình Dân Hospital via telemedicine.
Through laparoscopic surgery, doctors found a 5mm perforation in the pre-pyloric region of the stomach, cleaned the infected area, and repaired the hole. The operation lasted 60 minutes and was successful, with the patient now recovering well and expected to be discharged in the coming days.
The hospital emphasized that rapid emergency response — modeled after the procedures at Bình Dân Hospital’s main facility — played a key role in saving the patient’s life. Only two hours passed between hospital admission and the start of surgery.
Over the past month, the Côn Đảo Medical Center has stabilized operations and gained public trust. Since the start of the second rotation, its medical team has handled over 130 outpatient cases, eight emergency cases, and two urgent surgeries.
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