The hospital records of 24 patients over 75 years of age who had 25 surgical procedures in treatment for invasive gynecologic cancer were viewed. The patients were matched with control patients age 55 or less who had the same operative procedure and intraoperative and postoperative complications compared. The incidence of wound complications was higher in the elderly patients, while the other complications were lower. Age should not be an absolute contraindication to surgery for gynecologic malignancy if the prospects of cure are good.