[What determines indications for surgery in over-90-year-old urologic patients?]

Whereas up to a few decades ago operations were performed in aged patients only for vital indications, today elective operations that aim at improving the quality of life are predominant. Urology in particular must deal with diseases that appear preferentially in older age groups. In our department of urology we have operated on 52 patients over 90 years of age in the past 10 years. The vast majority of patients had accompanying disorders, and in half of the patients their general condition was reduced or even poor at admission. Postoperatively there was only one cardiac death. All other patients were discharged in a satisfactory condition.