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Major liver resections in the elderly—is an aggressive approach justified?

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Abstract

Background and aims

As the mean life expectancy rises, the incidence of patients 75 years of age and older who present with colorectal liver metastases continues to increase. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the outcome of major hepatic resections in the elderly population.

Patient and methods

From April 1998 to December 2006, 572 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases were treated at our Institution. Of these, 59 were 75 years or older. There was an intent to proceed with major liver resections in all cases. Data were analyzed according to diagnosis, comorbidities, extent of liver resection, postoperative complications, overall survival, and disease-free survival.

Results

Surgical treatment included right hepatectomies (n = 8), left hepatectomies (n = 4), and sectionectomies (more than three segments; n = 33). Fourteen (n = 14) patients received an explorative laparotomy alone. Morbidity and hospital mortality were 10% and 3%, respectively. Overall survival of 1, 3, and 5 years was 90%, 64%, and 33%, respectively. The corresponding disease-free survival was 74%, 42%, and 32%. Resection margin (R class) was the only predictor of survival by both uni- and multivariate analyses.

Conclusion

Hepatic resections can be performed safely in selected patients 75 years of age or older.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany

    Maximilian Bockhorn, Georgios C. Sotiropoulos, George Sgourakis, Jan P. Neuhaus, Ernesto P. Molmenti, Hauke Lang, Andreja Frilling & Christoph E. Broelsch

  2. Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany

    Maximilian Bockhorn

Authors
  1. Maximilian Bockhorn
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  2. Georgios C. Sotiropoulos
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  3. George Sgourakis
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  4. Jan P. Neuhaus
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  5. Ernesto P. Molmenti
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  6. Hauke Lang
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  7. Andreja Frilling
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  8. Christoph E. Broelsch
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Correspondence to Maximilian Bockhorn.

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Bockhorn, M., Sotiropoulos, G.C., Sgourakis, G. et al. Major liver resections in the elderly—is an aggressive approach justified?. Int J Colorectal Dis 24, 83–86 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-008-0571-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-008-0571-4

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