Prostatectomy in patients of 70 and over.

The management and results of a series of 200 consecutive patients, aged 70 years and over, who were treated by prostatectomy are reported. The mean age was 76 years. Significant cardiovascular and pulmonary disease was present in 51%. Transurethral prostatectomy was performed in 58%, the others being treated by open methods. In spite of the old age and associated problems and a rejection rate for operation of 5.5%, mortality within 1 month of surgery was only 2.5%. But as expected, there was post-operative morbidity particularly from pulmonary and cerebrovascular causes. However, most patients stayed in hospital for between 6 and 10 days only, with an average of 7.3 days after transurethral surgery. Management is discussed in relation to the general condition, size of the gland and the care in a specialised urology unit adapted to the treatment of this type of patient.