[Intestinal occlusions in the elderly patient]

After reviewing the literature on this topic, the authors examine all patients admitted to the Institute of Surgical Pathology in Pavia with a diagnosis of intestinal occlusion from 1-1-1974 to 31-12-1990. Of these, only those aged over 65 were included in the study and were in turn subdivided into 3rd and 4th age groups. The etiopathogenesis of this disorder is also discussed, stressing that it may be non-neoplastic (Group I) or neoplastic (Group II). The treatment used is also examined (surgical in the majority of cases) together with postoperative complications occurring in these patients. From the results obtained it is concluded that the method used in the pre-, intra- and postoperative stages provided satisfactory results, also in relation to the postoperative mortality rate which relatively low compared to other published reports.