Early Outcomes of Pancreticoduodenectomy in the Elderly: is Age a Risk Factor for Complications, A Retrospective Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a complex surgery performed for pancreaticoduodenal pathology.
Previous studies have found conflicting results regarding morbidity and mortality associated with performing PD
operation for elderly patients.
Objectives: The primary endpoint of the study is to examine the safety of performing PD in older populations. Secondary
endpoints include comparing the frequency of morbidity and mortality in the elderly group with that of the younger age
group after PD operation.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective study comprising 267 patients who underwent PD in our institute for different
indications, between January 2018 and January 2023. Demographics, American Society of Anesthesiologists scores,
comorbidities, total hospital stays, postoperative complications, and 30-day mortality were analyzed. The patients were
subdivided into two groups based on their age: those younger than 65 years (group I) and those aged 65 years and above
(group II).
Results: The elderly group experienced a significantly longer total hospital stay, including longer postoperative ICU
admission; a higher rate of readmission, with no significant difference was found between both groups as regards the total
operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative morbidity, and reoperation and 30-day mortality rates.
Conclusion: This research illustrates that PD is safe for individuals aged 65 and above, with similar rates of postoperative
complications, reoperation, and mortality rates when compared to their younger counterparts. By carefully selecting
patients and providing attentive perioperative care, satisfactory outcomes can still be achieved for elderly patients.

Keywords

The Egyptian Journal of Surgery
Volume 44, Issue 2
April 2025
Pages 574-583

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