Composite resection in the elderly: A well‐tolerated procedure

Abstract

The advisability of surgery in the elderly must be weighed against continued nonoperative care. The gloomy prospects of the patient with uncontrolled carcinoma of the head and neck led to the development and wide application of the composite resection for control of carcinoma of the oral cavity. The risks involved in this major undertaking in the elderly have not been previously reported. To this end a retrospective study of charts of patients over the age of 64 were reviewed and complications categorized. A representative group of younger patients were similarly reviewed for comparison. Wound complication rates were similar in the two groups, however the elderly were more likely to suffer associated medical problems which tended to be of a more serious nature. An overall complication rate of 29% was encountered with a mortality of 4%.