Oesophageal resection in the elderly

The outcome of transthoracic resection for carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia was compared in seventy six patients over seventy years of age with that of 179 patients under seventy. A resectability rate of 89% was achieved in the over 70 group and 91% in the under seventy group. Hospital mortality at 3 months was 21% in the elderly group and 14% in the younger age group (P = NS). Postoperative pulmonary infection and cardiac arrhythmias were more frequent in the elderly but postoperative hospital stay was almost identical in both groups. There were three fatal anastomotic leaks in the over seventy group and six in the under seventies. Survival figures at one and five years showed no significant difference between the groups. We conclude that age alone is not a contraindication to surgical resection of carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia.