Thoracotomy in patients over age seventy years: ten-year experience.

摘要: Recent reports have demonstrated satisfactory long-term survival following pulmonary resection in the elderly. However, high operative risk commonly cited patients over 70 years of age has led some authors to conclude that advanced is a contraindication resection. During 1969 1978, 218 thoracotomies were performed years. Operations include 175 resections and 43 miscellaneous thoracic surgical procedures. Primary or metastatic cancer was indication for 174 operations (pulmonary resection, 150 cases; exploration biopsy, 16 pleurectomy, eight cases). One hundred thirty-seven (63%) had benign course, whereas 74 experienced total 83 complications. Minor complications atrial fibrillation, air leaks persisting 7 14 days, successfully managed retention secretions seen 34 (16%). Nonfatal major predominantly cardiac respiratory nature occurred 40 (18%). The overall hospital mortality 3% (seven patients). Lung-sparing procedures utilized whenever possible among undergoing carcinoma (sleeve lobectomy, 13 segmental 52 wedge 12 4% these significantly lower (p < 0.001) than 17% 308 elderly compiled from five series reported by other centers between 1973 1978. Long-term follow-up obtained 129 139 (93%) available surviving cancer. 5 year rate 27%, ranging 13% having pneumonectomy 42% those