Total gastrectomy with "over-D1" lymph node dissection: what is the actual impact of age?

We aimed to evaluate risk factors for postoperative complications after total gastrectomy with "over-D1" lymphadenectomy.

Data on 161 patients (54 cases aged >75 years: elderly group) operated on between 2005 and 2011 were reviewed. Risk factors analyzed for complications (Clavien-Dindo classification) included sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, body mass index (BMI), pTNM stage, long-term antiplatelets therapy, operative time, and splenectomy.

The median age of the study population was 71 (interquartile range [IQR] 62-77) years (79 [range 76-90] years for elderly patients vs 65 [range 33-75] years for the control group, P < .0001). ASA classification was the only baseline characteristic significantly different in the intergroup analysis; 79.6% of the elderly patients were in ASA class III to IV versus 39.2% of the controls (P < .0001). Univariate analysis showed that patient age, ASA score, BMI, and splenectomy were predictive of postoperative complications. Multivariate analysis confirmed ASA score and splenectomy as independent risk-factors.

Regardless of age, fit elderly patients with operable gastric cancer should be candidates for the recommended standard extensive surgical resection provided that pre-existing comorbidities are considered.