2005 Abstracts: The Outcome of Esophagectomy in the Elderly
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The Outcome of Esophagectomy in the Elderly
Bareld Pultrum, GUMC Groningen University Medical Center, The Netherlands, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands; Henderik van Westreenen, James van Bastelaar, Maarten Nijsten, Gooitzen van Dam, John Plukker, GUMC Groningen University Medical Center, Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Background:
Elderly are assumed to have a higher rate of morbidity after esophagectomy. Aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of esophagectomy in elderly patients. Material and Methods: Between January 1991 and July 2004, 210 esophageal cancer patients underwent resection with curative intent. Patients were divided into groups regarding age, using 70 years as cutoff point. Retrospectively we analyzed the postoperative course, morbidity and long-term survival. Results: Of these 210 patients (167 male / 43 female), 148 pts (70.5%) were ≤ 70 years of age (group I), 62 pts were > 70 years of age (group II). In group II 30 pts (48%) had complications compared to 65 (44%) pts in group I. There was no difference in pulmonary complications nor in anastomotic leakage or sepsis. The postoperative mortality was also equal in both groups (p=0.099). However, we observed a significant higher occurrence of subphrenic abscesses, urinary infections and cardiac complications in the elderly. Hospital stay was higher in group II [32.9 (8.0-92.0) days] compared with [28.9 (7.0-102.0) days] in group I (p=0.039). Also the ICU stay was longer, 11.4 (0.0-64.0) and 6.1 (0.0-56.0) days (p=0.001) for group II and I, respectively. The 1 and 5-year survival of 72% and 36% for group I and66% and 37% for group II were equal (p=0.79). Conclusions: Major post-operative complications and mortality after esophagectomy are not different in elderly patients, although patients >70 years of age have a prolonged hospital and ICU stay. The 1 and 5-year survival are not related to age.
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