title: Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the elderly over 80 years: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An increasing number of elderly patients have been considered for major surgical procedures, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy. The decision to recommend this operation for localized pancreatic cancer or other periampullary process in a very elderly patient is complicated by the frailty of the patient and the poor prognosis of the disease. Moreover, increased surgical experience associated with better patient selection may reduce the mortality rate, even in very elderly patients (over 80 years of age), after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 84-year-old woman underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary adenocarcinoma. The tumor was classified pT3N0M0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A good postoperative outcome was obtained. The patient is still alive, 18 months after operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radical resection of periampullary tumors is safe in selected patients of advanced age, with morbidity and mortality rates approaching those observed in younger patients. Age alone should not be a contraindication for pancreatic resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Mongi Slim Hospital, Sidi Daoued, 2046, La Marsa, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hassen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hentati
authors.forename: Nafaa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arfa
authors.forename: Noomen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Haouas
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Landolsi
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gharbi
authors.forename: Nizar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miloudi
authors.forename: Saber
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mannaï
authors.forename: Brahim
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ghariani
authors.forename: Lassaad
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gharbi
authors.forename: Hafedh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mestiri
authors.forename: Mohamed Taher
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Khalfallah
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000367:Age Factors; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014670:Ampulla of Vater; D003138:Common Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy