Objective To evaluate the effect of ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage on acute perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer in elderly patients. Methods The clinical features, treatments, and the curative effects of 86 elderly cases (≥65 years) of acute perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer in our hospital between January 2004 and October 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-one cases were treated by ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage (drainage group), and 65 cases were treated by exploring operation (operation group). Results Drainage group was cured and had no complications. In 15 patients which accepted recheck one month after drainage, gastroscope showed the ulcer healed in 12 cases， and improved in 3 cases. In operation group, 63 cases were cured and 2 cases died. Compared with the drainage group, there was no significant difference in cure rate (Pgt;0.05). However, 11 patients had operative complications in operation group, which was significantly more than that in the drainage group （Plt;0.05）. In 45 patients which accepted recheck one month after operation, gastroscope showed the ulcer healed in 38 cases， and improved in 7 cases. Conclusion For elderly patients with acute perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer， if the patients do not fit for exploring operation， ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage is proved to be a simple, safe, and effective means.