[Lung resections in bronchial carcinoma of patients older than 70 years (author's transl)]

In a retrospective study (1969--1979) of 530 resections performed because of bronchial carcinoma, there were 70 patients older than 70 years (13.2%). Two-thirds of their resections were carried out on T 1--2 N0M0 and one-third on T 1--2-N1M0. For 22 central and 48 peripheral carcinomas, 25 pneumonectomies, 40 lobectomies, and 5 bilobectomies were performed. The mortality was 14.2% (lung embolism, pneumonia, apoplexia, and one insufficiency of the bronchial resection stump). Postoperative complications were atelectasis (28.5%), pneumonia (4%), lung embolism (6%), and two pleura empyemas. Of the patients operated on from 1976 to 1978, 40% (T1N0M0) and 30% (T2N0M0) and 30% (T2N0M0) are alive after 2.5 years.