[Colon surgery in old age].

Between 1975 and 1981, 632 patients with colon diseases underwent surgery. 93 (14.7%) patients were aged 80 or more. 90% of this age group had a colon cancer, 60% were in the tumour stage III or IV (TNM). An emergency operation was necessary in 37 (40%) cases, the postoperative mortality rate was nearly 60%. 62 patients underwent a selective colon operation with the postoperative mortality rate in this group amounting to 9.7%, impaired wound healing occurred in 25.8%. Preoperative treatment is described.