The outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients aged 80 or older: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing needed to consider pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for the treatment of pancreatic and periampullary malignancy in patients aged 80 and over, given the increasing aging population. METHODS: A systematic literature search was undertaken to identify selected studies that compared the outcomes of patients aged 80 years or over to those younger undergoing PD. RESULTS: In total 18 studies were included for evaluation. Octogenarian or older populations had significantly higher 30-day post-operative mortality rate (OR: 2.22, 95% CI = 1.48-3.31, p < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (OR: 2.23, 95% CI = 1.36-3.10, p < 0.001). The overall post-operative complication rate was higher in the older group compared to the younger population (OR: 1.51, 95% CI = 1.25-1.83, p < 0.001). Elderly patients were more likely to develop pneumonia (OR: 1.72, 95% CI = 1.39-2.13, p < 0.001) and experience delayed gastric emptying (DGE) (OR: 1.77, 95% CI = 1.35-2.31, p < 0.001). The incidence of post-operative pancreatic fistula and bile leak were not significantly different between the groups. Rehabilitation and home nursing care services was also more frequently required by the older patient group at the time of hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Patients aged 80 years and older have approximately double the risk of 30-day post-operative mortality and 50% increased rate of complications following PD. Careful patient selection is required when offering surgery in this age group.

Age 80 years and over is not associated with increased morbidity and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with high morbidity, which is perceived to be increased in the elderly. To our knowledge there have been no Australian series that have compared outcomes of patients over the age of 80 undergoing PD to those who are younger. METHODS: Patients who underwent PD between January 2008 and November 2015 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients underwent PD of whom 17 (10.3%) were aged 80 or over. The pre-operative health status, according to American Society of Anesthesiologists class was similar between the groups (P = 0.420). The 90-day mortality rates (5.9% in the elderly and 2% in the younger group; P = 0.355) and the post-operative complication rates (64.7% in the elderly versus 62.8% in the younger group; P = 0.88) were similar. Overall median length of hospital stay was also similar between the groups, but older patients were far more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility than younger patients (47.1 versus 12.8%; P < 0.0001). Older patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 10) had significantly lower median survival than the younger group (n = 69) (16.6 versus 22.5 months; P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: No significant differences were seen in the rate of complications following PD in patients aged 80 or over compared to younger patients, although there appears to be a shorter survival in the elderly patients treated for pancreatic cancer. Careful selection of elderly patients and optimal peri-operative care, rather than age should be used to determine whether surgical intervention is indicated in this patient group.