[Thoracic surgery in patients over 70]

Review of 88 patients aged over 70 who underwent surgery in this department from 1976 to 1981. 49 lungs and 39 esophaguses have been operated upon, usually for malignant tumors. Average age of the subjects was 75 years (70-90), the sex largely male. Complete follow-up in 88% of patients serves to evaluate the benefits of chest surgery in the elderly. Lobectomy was the most frequent procedure, but 12 pneumonectomies were also performed. The 10% postoperative mortality rate is satisfactory. Two years after surgery, half the patients are still alive without tumor recurrence. Nearly all the patients continued normal existence after the operation. The results of surgery for severe benign lesions of the esophagus (hiatus hernia, diverticula) are very satisfactory. Removal of the cancer improves the quality and length of survival, without a prohibitive postoperative mortality rate. The authors conclude that chest surgery in the elderly is successful and well tolerated.