Thoracotomy in patients over 70 years old.
One hundred cases of patients aged 70 yrs or older, who had undergone surgical intervention for a thoracic pathology between 1981 and 1990, were reviewed. The mean age was 73 yrs, and bronchial cancer the most frequent aetiology (55%). A systematic detailed study before surgery is recommended in the these patients, who have the highest operative risk, and whom we should try to treat most conservatively. Although the rate of complications was higher than the normal average, mortality was only 4%, and was related to the greater or lesser aggression of the surgery. In cases of diagnosed bronchial cancer, a survival of 2 yrs was obtained in 66%, 3 yrs in 50%, and 5 yrs in 26%. We conclude that, theoretically, at the age of 70 yrs or older there is no contraindication for surgery, although it does increase the postoperative morbidity.
Zapatero
J
J
Thoracic Surgery Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
Flandes
J
J
Salvatierra
S
S
Lago
J
J
Candelas
J
J
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D015897:Comorbidity; D004445:Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*