The hemorrhagic complication of peptic ulcer is a pathology which is still responsible for a high mortality. After reviewing the etiopathogenesis and physiopathology of hemorrhagic complications in the light of the recent discoveries regarding H. pylori, the authors report their experience and confirm the important role of surgery in the treatment of this pathology. Resolution is improved by the use of surgical staplers which are regarded as particularly valuable in emergency surgery where the need to cut operating times has undoubted advantages in terms of patient survival.