[Complications and risks of abdominal diseases in old surgical patients (author's transl)]. / Komplikationen und Gefahren bei abdominalen chirurgischen Erkrankungen im Senium

732 patients older than 70 years suffering from abdominal diseases were studied regarding postoperative complications and mortality. The rate of complications in connection with surgical procedures corresponds to that of younger patients. But complication depending on organs and organ systems impaired by age and pre-existing diseases were found in higher percentage.

[Results of treatment of cholelithiasis and its consequences; the so called "postcholecystectomy-syndrome" (author's transl)]. / Behandlungsergebnisse des Gallensteinleidens und seiner Folgezustände unter dem besonderen Aspekt des sogenannten Postcholezystektomie-Syndroms

Our analysis of 378 patients made after operations for diseases of the gallbladder and bile tract underlines the demand of an exact preoperative diagnostic examination of other abdominal organs, e.g. the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, liver and pancreas. The value of using modern intraoperative diagnostic procedures for the biliary tract is confirmed. Our analysis also demonstrates the necessity of traeting cholelithiasis surgically at an early stage. Complications of cholelithiasis include a higher risk, a worse prognosis with regard to permanent healing and a higher rate of postoperative lethality.