Long-Term Effect of Pancreaticoduodenectomy Combined with Revascularization for Resectable Pancreatic Carcinoma in Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with revascularization (PDR) is the main surgical procedure for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with venous system invasion, but this procedure is discouraged in elderly patients because of physical complexity. Our aim was to explore the differences of perioperative and survival in patients of different ages who underwent PDR. MATERIAL/METHODS: We reviewed data from PDAC patients undergoing PDR from 2007 to 2018. Patients were subdivided into 3 groups according to age: <60 years, 60–70 years, and ≥70 years. Postoperative complications and long-term survival were compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: From 626 patients, 185 had en bloc venous resection who underwent PDR (103, 55, and 27 patients from young to elderly). Increasing age was linked to a higher prevalence of ICU management (P=0.035) and more serious complications (grade ≥III, P=0.043); overall mortality was 8.1% and did not significantly differ among age-matched groups. Further, there was no difference in overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) based on age (<60, 60–70, ≥70, median OS were 9.7, 8.4 vs 9.1 months, respectively, P=0.787; median PFS were 6.9, 6.1 vs 8.4 months, respectively, P=0.603). However, patients <60 years whose tumors invaded the superior mesenteric vascular had better survival outcomes when compared with the other 2 groups (11.5 vs 8.4, 9.1 months, P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that age should not be considered an absolute contraindication for PDR, as elderly patients can achieve the same surgical efficacy and long-term survival prognosis.