[Postoperative intestinal absorption in old age (author's transl)].

The function of intestinal absorption was analysed in elderly patients before and after cholecystectomy by the help of the modified D-xylose-absorption test. A characteristic dependence upon the age for the process of intestinal absorption was demonstrated in the elderly not only preoperatively but also postoperatively. The effective intestinal absorption of D-xylose normalized postoperative by in freshly operated older patients more slowly than in younger ones.