[Results of colorectal carcinoma surgery in elderly patients]

Between 1972 and 1995, 4434 operations for colorectal carcinoma were performed at the University Clinic of Mannheim. The increasing average age of the patients resulted in a higher lethality rate due to more emergency operations and concomitant failure of other organs. But the prognosis of patients over 70 years old can be compared with younger patients when hospital lethality is not considered. Thus the aim of treatment in older patients is also R0-resection, avoidance of emergency operations, optimum treatment of concomitant failure of other organs and multiple operations in extreme emergency cases.