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Updated: Mar 20, 2026
Robot Assisted Distal Pancreatectomy with Celiac Axis Resection DP-CAR for Pancreatic Cancer: Surgical Planning and Technique
Published on: August 14, 2021
Is a surgical approach justified for octogenarians with pancreatic carcinoma? Projecting surgical decision making for
Takehiro Okabayashi1, Yasuo Shima1, Jun Iwata2
1Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center, 2125-1 Ike, Kochi-City, Kochi 781-8555, Japan.
Background:
In recent years, more elderly patients have undergone surgery for pancreatic cancer, although the safety and efficacy of performing complex pancreatic resections in patients older than 80 years remain controversial.
Methods:
Patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent curative surgical treatment were divided into 2 subgroups: the younger group (<80 years) and the octogenarian group (≥80 years).
Results:
From March 2005 to December 2013, 194 consecutive surgically curable patients with diagnosed pancreatic cancer were studied, among which 34 (17.5%) were of 80 years or older. There were no significant differences in postoperative severe complication rates for younger and octogenarian groups (16% vs 20%, respectively) or perioperative mortality rates (1.3% vs .0%). The incidence of postoperative delirium in the octogenarian group was greater than that in the younger group (23.5% vs 3.8%).
Conclusions:
Octogenarian pancreatic cancer patients should not be denied a priori the opportunity for surgery, particularly if the patient represents an ideal candidate and if the co-operation of the family can be obtained.
