title: Major resection of hepatic colorectal liver metastases in elderly patients - an aggressive approach is justified.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  With a progressively ageing population, increasing numbers of elderly patients will present with colorectal metastases and be referred for surgical resection. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of hepatic resection in patients over 70 years of age by comparing outcomes with those of a younger cohort of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine patients over 70 years of age who underwent hepatic resection of colorectal liver metastases were compared to 142 patients less than 70 years of age in terms of pre-, peri- and post-operative results, as well as long-term survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Major resections were performed in 61% of the elderly group and 68% of the younger group. The two groups were comparable in terms of operative duration, transfusion rate, length of HDU stay and post-operative hospital stay. The elderly group had a non-significant increase in post-operative morbidity. The 30-day and 60-day/inpatient mortality rates were similar between the two groups (elderly 0% and 4%; younger 2% and 3%). Long-term disease-free survival was similar between elderly and younger patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms that an aggressive surgical policy towards colorectal metastases in elderly patients is associated with low peri-operative morbidity and mortality, as well as good long-term outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester, Gwendolen Road, Leicester, LE5 4PW, UK. chris.mann@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Neal
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Pattenden
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garcea
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dennison
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Berry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome