[On postoperative azotemia in geriatric surgery: significance, risk groups, possibilities of prophylaxis (author's transl)].

1032 Interventions on geriatric patients beeing more than 70 years old between 1966 and 1975 demonstrate the significance of azotemia in the postoperativ stage of the disease appears as well as its dependence upon prehospital factors, type and localisation also on the extension and duration on the intervention in each single case. Since it is hardly possible to exert an influence on the preliminary stress due to the old age and on the dysfunction determined by involution of the parenchymatose organs important for the course of the postoperative stage, a particular emphasis should be laid upon the prophylactic aspekt to the purpose of an appropriate screening against vegetativ-visceral, renally effective shock reflexes (hepatorenal syndrome) and on the other, usually extra-renal factors (PH 203R, splanchnic block). Further possibilities: considerate elimination of pain and general anesthesia, purpuseful and quick operative technique, improvement of the apparatus and instruments, after-treatment specific for the given case so as one consisting of a prophylaxis against pneumonia through a rapid reactivation of the operated person. However, regardless to all the professional advance made in this field, the primary human approach to the aged patient and to his life expectancy should be made due allowance for.