Predictors of postoperative complications and survival in patients with major salivary glands malignancies: a study highlighting the influence of age.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to reveal prognostic factors for surgical complications and survival in young and elderly patients with malignant salivary gland tumors.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of surgically treated patients with malignant major salivary gland tumors was performed. Of the 111 patients, 33 patients were 70 years or older and 78 patients were under 70. Comorbidity was recorded using the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 index and complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

RESULTS

Comorbidity and complications were significantly more frequent in elderly patients (p < .05). Age, comorbidity, and length of surgery were not significant independent predictors of complications. Stage was the only independent predictive factor for postoperative complications and disease-specific survival.

CONCLUSION

Based on this retrospective analysis reviewing surgically treated patients, age alone should not be a reason to treat elderly patients differently, as it was not a predictor of either complications or disease-specific survival.