Asymptomatic recurrent ulcers following drugs and surgical therapy are true failures of treatment (Visick IV). Several types of bias at present do not allow any conclusion whether medical treatment and maintenance increase the rate of ulcer complications. The mechanisms of action for medical treatment with cimetidine and operative treatment with SPV are similar, but not identical. Bad compliance and incomplete vagotomies mainly account for success of mutual exchange between the two types of therapy. Using a decision tree with mortality as outcome recommendations are developed for a step-wise therapeutic concept in peptic ulcer patients.