[Surgical treatment of goiter in older people]

Experiences are reported connected with surgical treatment of goitre in 84 patients aged over 65 years. Deaths occurred exclusively in patients with thyroid malignant tumours, and the most frequent postoperative complication was paresis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Owing to adequate preparation of patients for operation and correct postoperative management the old age of the patient, is not increasing significantly the surgical risk.