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In a retrospective investigation at the department of Surgery, Frederiksberg Hospital in 1981, the frequency of operations in patients above 80 years old was 3.4% compared to 1.7% in the general population. The total number of operations in the aged group was 183. The object of this investigation was to determine the postoperative mortality and 5-year survival rate in the patients aged 80 years or more. Furthermore, the ability of the patients to stay in their homes was investigated. The patients were divided into a major surgery group and a minor surgery group depending on the extent of the operation. The postoperative mortality var 5.5%. Compared to an age and sex matched control group, only the major surgery group had a higher rate of mortality during the first six postoperative months. Among the patients who were admitted from home, 85% were discharged directly to their homes. At the end of the study period or at the time of death, the percentage of patients staying in old peoples homes was essentially the same as for the rest of the population. It is concluded that the patients aged 80 years or more tolerated surgical trauma relatively well and, that the number of geriatric operations may be anticipated to increase greatly.