[Thoracic surgery in advanced age]

From 1990 through 1992, 70 patients 70 years of age or older (mean 72.8 years) underwent surgery for lung cancer at our hospital (47 males/23 females). 68 patients took part in a follow-up. Operative treatment consisted of standard lung resections in 42 cases. 17 patients underwent enlarged resections. In the postoperative period, complications occurred in 32 cases (47%). The overall operative mortality rate of 13% was mainly due to concomitant cardiovascular diseases and enlarged lung resections. Critical preoperative evaluation of the patients' functional status and selection of the proper operative procedure promise a successful treatment of lung cancer in the elderly.