[Complications following thoracic surgery (author's transl)].

From 1968--1977 a total of 2,670 patients with thoracic injury or disease were treated in the Department of General and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Giessen. Of these, 1,185 patients were operated on: 701 lung resections, 371 thoracotomies, and 113 operations on the diaphragm and thoracic wall. Postoperative complications were observed in 16% and 8% died. Frequency and severity of the complications were dependent on the type of surgery and the underlying disease.