[Operation for brain metastases in the elderly patient].

Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 68.6 years who had been operated on for cerebral metastases were examined. In addition to perioperative complications, the study included the number and character of other preexisting diseases, average time of hospitalization, and neurological and social outcome. Operations without complications in 64%, an acceptable average time of hospitalization of 27.7 days, and a good or excellent outcome in 60% of the cases support the neurosurgical treatment of brain metastases even in advanced age under certain circumstances.