Late results of small untreated abdominal aortic aneurysms.

We report our experience with 73 patients who were initially selected for nonoperative management of an abdominal aortic aneurysm less than 5 cm in diameter. Size of the aneurysm was determined by ultrasound (34); arteriography (16); computerized tomography (17); plain x-ray (4); and magnetic resonance imaging (2). End points of the study were subsequent elective resection, rupture, death from cause other than rupture, or an intact aneurysm followed for a minimum of three years.

The current spectrum of peptic ulcer disease in the older age groups.

Not only has there been a relative increase in the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) among America's older age groups, but the characteristics of PUD in these patients differ significantly from those of the general population. Seventy-two consecutive patients 60 years of age or older who underwent operation for PUD between 1984 and 1989 were studied. The unusual features in these patients were 1) 92 per cent required emergency operation, 2) 57 per cent with perforated PUD were female, 3) 85 per cent had duodenal pathology, 4) 28 per cent were currently taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and 5) over one half of all patients had serious postoperative complications.

Blunt chest trauma in the elderly.

Significant differences were identified between a group of elderly patients (65 years and older) and a nonelderly group both with blunt thoracic trauma. There was a lower incidence of elderly patients presenting in shock; however, cardiopulmonary arrest at arrival was more frequent in this group. Although the types of complications were similar in both populations, the morbidity and mortality rates were higher in the elderly.

Blunt thoracic trauma. Analysis of 515 patients.

A retrospective analysis of 515 cases of blunt chest trauma is presented. The overall thoracic morbidity rate was 36% and mortality rate was 15.5%.