AbstractSeveral ways of analyzing recurrence figures are presented in order to demonstrate the difficult interpretation of recurrence rate with highly selective vagotomy (HSV) in 262 patients operated on for duodenal ulcer with an almost complete follow‐up. Actuarial recurrence risks and cumulative recurrence hazards are calculated and compared with several studies on the same subject.We conclude that: (a) There is no such entity as a fixed or definitive recurrence percentage (usually indicated in clinical reports as “recurrence rate”) after HSV or other operations for duodenal ulcer; (b) The risk of any patient developing a recurrence at any time after HSV is constant in the immediate future and is as high 6 years after operation as it is after 1 year; and (c) There is no permanent cure after HSV; cure can only be expressed as a certain probability of freedom from recurrence in a similar way to that of oncological or vascular surgery.