Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the elderly over 80 years: a case report.
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.
Hentati
Hassen
H
Department of General Surgery, Mongi Slim Hospital, Sidi Daoued, 2046, La Marsa, Tunis, Tunisia.
Arfa
Nafaa
N
Haouas
Noomen
N
Landolsi
Sana
S
Gharbi
Walid
W
Miloudi
Nizar
N
Mannaï
Saber
S
Ghariani
Brahim
B
Gharbi
Lassaad
L
Mestiri
Hafedh
H
Khalfallah
Mohamed Taher
MT
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