Description of pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this paper is to examine the safety and feasibility of pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy in elderly patients.

METHODOLOGY: The study population consisted of 40 consecutive patients. They were divided into two groups: Group A (<75 years old) and Group B (=75 years old). Reconstruction with a vertical duodenojejunostomy and internal pancreatic drainage with an omental wrapping was performed on the patients in both the groups.

RESULTS: Less time was required to complete the operations in Group B (280±20min) than in Group A (386±88min; p=0.0006). Intraoperative blood loss in Group B was significantly lesser (365±109g) than that in Group A (629±249g; p=0.0026). No statistically significant difference was observed between both groups, in terms of the length of time required until food intake resumed and length of hospital stay. Although the rate of postoperative complication was higher in Group B (10.0%), no statistically significant difference was observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with a vertical duodenojejunostomy and internal pancreatic drainage with an omental wrapping seems safe and can be performed on elderly patients without a significant risk of complications.