Since recent small uncontrolled studies have suggested that surgery for peptic ulcer comprising partial gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis without vagotomy effectively prevents postoperative enterogastric reflux without increasing ulcer recurrence rate, we have compared mortality, ulcer recurrence rate, and complaints in ulcer patients who had undergone partial gastrectomy with either Roux-en-Y (n = 47) or Billroth II anastomosis (n = 47). The groups were comparable with regard to age, sex, ulcer localisation, indication for surgery and number of emergency procedures. During postoperative follow-up, seven patients with Roux-en-Y have died, compared with nine patients with Billroth II gastrectomy. In two of the seven patients who died after Roux-en-Y gastrectomy, but in none of the nine who died after Billroth II resection, death was unequivocally related to postoperative ulcer recurrences. At 1, 2, 3 and 4 years postoperatively, 90 vs. 100% (not significant), 78 vs. 98% (p < 0.01), 72 vs. 95% (p < 0.01) and 72 vs. 95% (p < 0.01) of the patients were in remission after Roux-en-Y and Billroth II gastrectomy, respectively. All ulcers were localized at or just distal to the anastomosis, and were diagnosed within the first 3 postoperative years. We conclude that in peptic ulcer patients the ulcer recurrence rate after Roux-en-Y gastrectomy without vagotomy is considerably higher than after Billroth II resection. Thus, gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis without vagotomy cannot be recommended as the primary procedure in patients undergoing partial gastrectomy for peptic ulcer disease.