Surgical procedures in centenarians.

Sixteen patients 100 years of age and older underwent surgical procedures at a single institution during the 11-year period ending December 1991. There were 11 (69%) females and five males. Patient ages ranged from 100 to 104 (mean, 101.1 years). Procedures included six ophthalmologic operations, three permanent pacemaker implantations, three compression hip screw fixations, two leg amputations, one hemiglossectomy, and one cystostomy. There was one (6%) perioperative death. Long-term follow-up was established for each patient. One-year survival rate in these 16 centenarians was 69%. We conclude that selected patients 100 years old and older can survive certain surgical procedures with acceptable perioperative and long-term results.