ABSTRACTPurpose
Geriatric surgery poses specific challenges due to patient vulnerability in relation to aging. We analyzed perioperative challenges concerning super-elderly patients with breast cancer.
Methods
Between 2013 and 2018, 908 patients with breast cancer were treated surgically. Of these, two patient groups were compared: Group A (≥ 85 years old, n = 34, 3,7%) and Group B (75-84 years old, n = 136, 15%).
Results
In Groups A and B, 26,4% and 36,8% of patients lived alone, respectively. Group A patients had higher rates of psychiatric and cardiovascular disease (32,4% and 41,2%) than Group B (8,8% and 16,2%) (p = 0,0009 and p = 0,0031, respectively). There was no marked difference in the type of surgery or length of hospital stay between groups, and most complications involved surgical site disorders. Postoperatively, Group A had a higher rate of delirium (29,4%) than Group B (3,7%) (p < 0,0001). The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 0, and 76,5% of Group A and 45,6% of Group B patients received no adjuvant therapy (p = 0,0024).
Conclusions
Age alone does not constitute a contraindication for appropriate surgery, although there are some challenges necessary to consider for super-elderly patients.
