A peptic ulcer is a circumscribed loss of tissue in an area of the GI tract that is in contact with hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Peptic ulcer is common in adults. It occurs widely throughout the world and in all societies. Men are affected more frequently than women, and the highest incidence occurs during middle ages. 

The pain described as a burning sensation. It usually occurs one to several hours after a meal and relieved by drinking milk. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by nausea where vomiting relieves the pain. Patients that secrete large amounts of acid may experience pain. Back pain may indicate irritation of the pancreas by the ulcer. As many as 20% of patients may have bleeding as the first sign of the ulcer 

Complications include hemorrhage, which may be mild to life-threatening. Bleeding occurs when a blood vessel is eroded by the ulcer. 

From the period of 1 November 2004 – 30 June 2005 seven peptic ulcer bleedings were treated in our unit by using the sclerosing needle and heat probe catheter as well as the double-lumen gastroscope.