[Causes of death in the aged and their significance for surgery]

Based on an analysis of the most frequent causes of death in old age, i.e. cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases and neoplasia, a number of consequences can be drawn from the surgical point of view. It is undoubtedly difficult still to find ways and means of prolonging the life of an elderly person suffering from an acute illness in the presence of degenerative cardiac and vascular diseases. Yet we feel, that interdisciplinary cooperation with a high degree of responsibility between surgeons, internal specialists and anesthetists still offers possibilities to achieve this aim. All efforts should be focused on relieving cardiovascular and respiratory insufficiency. Furthermore, we regard surgery at the time of choice as an opportunity to reduce mortality rates which are greatly influenced by complications of diseases requiring an operation. The success of an operation depends on precise surgical work and swift acting. It should be a moral duty not only of the medical profession, but also of young people to treat the elderly with esteem, respect, love and care.