Surgery of bone metastases in advanced age

: Twenty-seven patients over 70 years of age (1990-1995, n = 100) achieved a stabilisation of skeletal metastasis; preventive (10), or after pathological fracture (17). Medullary pins were preferred to compound osteosynthesis. In all cases the operation was of a palliative nature, but resulted in considerable relief from pain, facilitated nursing or even improved ability to walk. Thus old age is not an indication against palliative stabilisation of skeletal metastasis.