[Major gynecologic surgery in the geriatric patient]

A retrospective analysis of 256 important interventions in geriatric gynecologic patients (over 70 years of age) was carried out. There were 77 vaginal, 86 abdominal, 9 combined abdomino-vaginal and 82 breast operations. Minor (131) and major (31) complications are described in detail. Two postoperative deaths accounted for a mortality rate of 0.8% in these patients. It is emphasized, that on the premises of a thorough evaluation of the possible treatments, a modern anesthesiologic technique, a well devised operative strategy and the modern postoperative care we can nowadays justify extensive surgery even in the very old gynecologic patient.