Surgical Management of Benign Gastric Outlet Obstruction in the Elderly

Background/Aims: Surgical management of gastric outlet obstruction may associate with significant morbidity and mortality. Few studies have documented surgical outcomes in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to review recent operative results of benign gastric outlet obstruction in elderly patients compared with younger patients. Methodology: Forty-seven consecutive patients from January 2000 through September 2008 were included. Preoperative, intraoperative data and early postoperative complications were analyzed. Results: Fifteen operations were performed in elderly patients and 32 in younger patients. More patients in the elderly group were assigned as ASA class 3 (p=0.037), but Charlson comorbidity index was similar. Procedure types included Finney or Jaboulay pyloroplasty (n=26), antrectomy (n=13) and gastrojejunostomy (n=8). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 14.9 days. A modest correlation between the length of stay and the patient's age (p=0.044; r=0.294) was observed. There were two in-hospital mortalities and four patients had complications. Conclusions: Surgery for benign gastric outlet obstruction is safe in the elderly population and is not associated with any increase in morbidity or mortality.