[Surgical indications, choice of procedure and results in upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage].

Even today acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding carries a high mortality rate. To improve results it is important to define and operate on those patients in whom recurrent bleeding is expected. Whenever possible early elective surgery is recommended. To improve long-term results we propose definitive ulcer surgery even in patients presenting as emergencies. Implementation of this policy does not increase operative mortality.