Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of surgical therapy on peptic ulcer with perforation in elderly patients. Methods A total of 75 elderly patients with peptic ulcer combined perforation were divided into conservative treatment group (n=33) and surgical treatment group (n=42). The quality of ulcer healing, recurrence of perforation and complication were observed by follow up. Results Three cases was dead from multiple organ failure in surgical treatment. One case in conservation group transferred to surgical therapy as massive haemorrhage. The ulcer healing rate was 90.0% in surgical therapy group and 84.4% in conservation group, with no significant difference (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in incidence of perforation recurrence between two groups 1 and 2 years after (P>0.05), so were the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding, pyloric obstruction cancerization (P>0.05). Conclusion The treatment for elderly patients with peptic ulcer and perforation should be selected properly.

Key words: Surgery, Conservational therapy, Peptic ulcer, Perforation