[Geriatric surgery of the upper GI-tract (author's transl)]

The results of surgery of the upper gastrointestinal tract in elderly patients achieved at the Department of Surgery of the University of Mainz are represented. New pathophysiological concepts in peptic ulcer surgery, improved preoperative procedures like endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) in diseases of the biliary tree are important contributions to the indications and operative tactics. The rules of cancer surgery are also true in geriatric surgery. Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures should be restricted according to the particular limits set up by age.