[Long term management of peptic ulcer. Indications and side effects of drug therapy compared with surgical procedure].

Long-term drug therapy of peptic ulcers may be practiced using cimetidine, ranitidine, sucralfate or possibly pirenzepine, but H2-blockers are considered to be the best treatment. Whereas in Zollinger Ellison syndrome and in stomal ulcers maintenance therapy is mandatory, the indications in uncomplicated ulcer disease are not yet established. 2 or 3 recurrencies per year, previous complications or high-risk conditions can be discussed, however, every patient should be informed of the surgical alternative since recurrence rate of long-term treatment exceeds the surgical approach.