Resumo

RUIZ, Eloy et al. Gastrectomía total por cáncer gástrico en pacientes mayores de 70 años. Rev. gastroenterol. Perú [online]. 2001, vol.21, n.3, pp.205-211. ISSN 1022-5129.

Objective: To determinate if the postoperative morbidity and mortality after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer performed in patients older than 70 years of age were different with those of younger patients. Material and Methods: From 1980 to 1999 411 total gastrectomies for gastric adenocarcinoma were performed at the Instituto de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (INEN) of these 87 were in older than 70 years of age (Elderly group) and 92 from 50-59 years of age ( Young group). We reviewed the clinical charts and compared the clinicopathological features, postoperative morbidity and mortality, hospital stay and survival from both groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding clinicopathological features except with the TNM stage, there were in IV stage 23.0% in the elderly group and 43.5 % in the young group (p=0.007). The operating time in the elderly group was shorter than in the young group (5.5 hours vs 6.0 hours, p=0.015) The postoperative morbidity and mortality for the elderly group were 29.9% and 4.6%, respectively and for the young group were 34.8% and 2.2%, respectively. Pneumonia was the most frequent postoperative complication (14.8%) and also was the first cause of postoperative death in the elderly group. Hospital stay and survival were no different between groups. Conclusions: The postoperative morbidity and mortality after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in the elderly were no different than those achieved in younger patients.

Palavras-chave : Gastric cancer; Elderly; Morbidity; Mortality.