A vertical incision through the anterior wall of the antral cuff and pyloric ring permits a useful modification of the Bancroft procedure for management of the difficult duodenal stump. The approach allows completion of subtotal gastrectomy or hemigastrectomy and vagotomy for duodenal ulcer without hazarding the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in such procedures, duodenal stump leakage resulting from difficult postpyloric dissection and insecure closure. The method is recommended in selected cases.