Background: Few studies exist that evaluate outcomes of pancreatectomy in patients > or =80 y of age, an age group increasing in size in the United States. This study analyzes the outcomes of pancreatectomy in patients > or =80 y of age.
Methods: The medical records of 32 patients > or =80 y of age undergoing pancreatectomy at our institution from April 1995 through October 2008 were reviewed, and outcomes were analyzed.
Results: The median patient age was 82 y, and 75% were ASA Class 3. Eighty-one percent of the resections were pancreaticoduodenectomies. There were no operative deaths. Sixty-six percent of patients suffered at least one complication. The median length of stay was 11 d. Eighty-one percent of the resections were performed for cancer. Median survival for all patients was 14.4 mo. Median survival for patients with cancer was 12 mo versus 103 mo for patients without cancer, P = 0.017.
Conclusions: Pancreatectomy in patients > or =80 y of age can be performed with a low risk of mortality but with significant morbidity.