title: Prostatectomy in the over 80-year-old.
abstract: With an ageing population the demand for prostatectomy in the over 80-year-olds is increasing. This study assesses the place of prostatectomy in this age group. All patients over the age of 80 who underwent prostatectomy in a 2-year period were studied retrospectively; 90 such patients underwent 94 operations, 90 of which were TURPs. Serious concomitant disease was found in 64 patients (71%) and 11 (12%) had had a previous prostatectomy at least 1 year before. The mean weight of tissue removed was 24.8 g. In 18 men histology showed malignant change. Two men died from cardiovascular disease immediately after surgery (2.1%); a further 5 patients (7.8%) died within 6 months. Post-operative morbidity was high, with 64 patients (71%) developing complications. These were related to pre-operative urinary tract infections and uraemia. Nevertheless, at 6 weeks 72 patients (80%) were considered to have had a satisfactory result. Prostatectomy in the over 80-year-old has a good long-term outcome. Although the morbidity rate is high, these patients should be considered for operation provided they undergo careful pre-operative assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Royal Infirmary, Bristol.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Wyatt
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Stower
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011468:Prostatectomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies