Therapeutic results and complications of thoracic operations. Part I.

The therapeutic results and complications of 557 thoracic operations are evaluated. 94.4% of the patients recovered, 2.7% improved and 2.9% died. There appears to be a significant correlation between the therapeutic results, the diagnosis and the type of operation. The 7.0% wound infections were closely related to the age of the patient. The postoperative respiratory complications observed in 11.5% of the cases were in close relation to the diagnosis. The causes leading to respiratory complications and the length of the febrile period are discussed in detail, and the results are assessed in the light of data in the literature.