[Billroth I operation for peptic ulcer (author's transl)].

The indications and early results of 605 Billroth I operations for peptic ulcer are reported. Of the 605, 302 were simple resections, and 303 combined operations with selective gastric vagotomy. There were no differences concerning postoperative complications among the two groups. No disturbances were encountered in 80%. The overall mortality rate was 4.2% caused mainly by an incidence of 14.6% in complicated ulcer cases. The greatest difference for lethal, as well as nonlethal, complications was found between emergency surgery for bleeding ulcer and elective operations for uncomplicated cases. In general, the early results of the Billroth I resection were equal to the Billroth II type. Because of better functional late results, the Billroth I operation is preferred.