THORACIC-SURGERY IN THE ELDERLY

From 1990 through 1992, 70 patients 70 years of age or older (mean 72. 8 years) underwent surgery for lung cancer at our hospital (47 males/2 3 females). 68 patients took part in a follow-up. Operative treatment consisted of standard lung resections in 42 cases. 17 patients underwe nt enlarged resections. In the postoperative period, complications occ urred in 32 cases (47%). The overall operative mortality rate of 13% w as mainly due to concomitant cardiovascular diseases and enlarged lung resections. Critical preoperative evaluation of the patients' functio nal status and selection of the proper operative procedure promise a s uccessful treatment of lung cancer in the elderly.