[Thoracic surgical interventions].

Thoracic surgery necessitates more intensive care postoperatively than general surgery. For elective lung resections mortality was significantly higher in patients older than 70 years. Operative risk has to be considered very thoroughly versus natural history of the diseases involved. Vascular reconstructions in the chest, however, were performed mainly in symptomatic patients, when increased operative risk must be accepted because of an increased threat by symptomatic disease. For surgery of the trachea or esophagus techniques are preferred which avoid thoracotomy.