Endoscopy in a patient with haematemesis reveals a bleeding chronic posterior wall duodenal ulcer. Which artery is most commonly responsible for the haemorrhage?

• A Gastroduodenal artery ✓
• B Splenic artery
• C Left gastric artery
• D Superior mesenteric artery

Explanation

C posterior duodenal ulcer erodes into the gastroduodenal artery, which runs behind the first part of the duodenum, making it the classic source of massive duodenal ulcer haemorrhage; surgical control involves underrunning this vessel. Posterior gastric ulcers typically erode the splenic artery, and lesser curve ulcers the left gastric artery branches. The superior mesenteric artery lies well away from the duodenal bulb and is not implicated in peptic ulcer bleeding.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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