The perioperative complications for elderly patients with lung cancer associated with a pulmonary resection under...

Surgery for elderly patients with lung cancer is relatively common due to the increasing elderly population. This study evaluated the perioperative complications associated with surgery in patients over 70 years of age with lung cancer.

A single-center retrospective evaluation was conducted of perioperative complications (1996-2006) in lung cancer surgical patients. We reviewed and analyzed the clinical records of 364 consecutive patients over 70 years of age and 392 control patients.

The mean age of the elderly group was 75.5 years old and that of the control group was 59.4 years. A segmental or wedge resection was performed more frequently for the elderly group than in the control group, whereas pneumonectomies and lobectomies were performed more frequently in the control group. Preoperative comorbidities such as cardiac and thoracic diseases were more frequently recognized in the elderly group than in the control group. The quantity of propofol used as induction anesthesia in the elderly group was significantly smaller than that of the control group, furthermore, the operation time and operation room stay time of the elderly group were significantly shorter than that of the control group, however, extubation time was significantly prolonged. The ratio of thoracic complications in the elderly group was higher than that in the control group. The ratio of pulmonary leakage in the elderly group was higher than in the control group; however, there was no significant difference in length of stay in the hospital, the ratio of operative death and hospital death between the two groups.

Elderly patients more frequently have perioperative complications than younger patients; however, there was no statistical difference in mortality. A pulmonary resection for elderly patients may therefore be as feasible as in younger patients.