[Problems of surgery in old age (author's transl)]

Objects of surgery of the higher age are accident injuries, malignant tumors, thoracial and gastrointestinal emergency conditions as well as disorders of the central and peripheral circulation of blood. The aim of surgery of the old age is the complete recovery of the old men and the integration in his familiar surroundings. In many cases this aim can be realized only to a certain degree on account of the polymorbidity of the higher age. For men older than 50 years the risk of operation is continuously increasing. In the 10th decennium the value of postoperative letality is reaching almost 30%. The reason is not in first line the basic disease or the accident, but the complication for intervention is in most cases an absolute one, because cases of emergency are predominant. The consequence of surgery with high risk is the prophylaxis, that means: all pathologic, already in younger years existing states, which are generally treated by operation, ought to be operated early, in order to prevent complicationsin the higher age. In tumor surgery, which is characterized by a high delay rate, looking for tracks of cancer and early diagnosis are the ways to diminish the burden of the older men.