Safety and efficacy of hepatectomy for colorectal metastases in the elderly

Abstract

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of hepatic metastasectomy in elderly patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM).

Methods: A retrospective review of a hepatobiliary database was performed on consecutive patients treated with metastasectomy for CLM. Patients were stratified by age (<70 years old vs. ≥70). Patient and tumor characteristics as well as operative factors were compared, as were morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards were used to evaluate the association of age and postoperative outcomes.

Results: There were 59 elderly (median age 75) and 220 non-elderly (median age 58) patients analyzed over a 13 year period. The Charlson comorbidity index was higher in the elderly group (mean 4.7 vs. 4.4 P = 0.005). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 52.5 and 0% vs. 48.2 and 4.1% in the elderly and non-elderly groups, respectively (P = 0.56 and P = 0.21). There were no differences in median DFS (21.8 months vs. 28.9 months; P = 0.157) or OS (36 months vs. 47.7 months; P = 0.070) between the elderly and non-elderly groups, respectively.

Conclusions: Age itself does not appear to be a significant contraindication to liver resection, including major hepatectomy, when patients are appropriately selected.