The Validily of Tracheal Surgery for the Aged

Surgery for tracheal stenotic lesions in older patients over age 70 was evaluated in comparison with younger patients under age 69 on the basis of our clinical experience. The causes of tracheal lesions were mainly malignant diseases in spite of varying variety of etiology in the younger patients. The outcome of surgical treatment in the older ones was not inferior to that in the younger ones as far as postoperative complications were prevented. In conclusion, it is emphasized that the surgical treatment of choice is essential for palliation of symptoms and expectance of high quality of life.