Effect of elderly status on postoperative complications in patients with sinonasal cancer

Background

Elderly patients with multiple comorbidities may be at higher risk of postoperative complications. With an increasingly aging population, more data assessing for predisposing factors are needed in this at‐risk group. In this study, we analyzed the effect of elderly status on relative comorbidities and complications of sinonasal cancer (SNC) patients receiving surgery.

Methods

A retrospective database analysis was performed using cases from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2003 to 2012. Patients with a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses, who received surgery for sinonasal malignancy, including neck dissections, were selected. Demographics of interest included age, sex, race, type of admission, mean length of stay, and median hospital charges. Elderly and nonelderly patients were compared for differences in rates of acute medical complications, acute surgical complications, and relevant procedures during hospitalization.

Results

Of the 920 cases identified in the NIS, 382 (41.5%) were elderly (≥65 years). Cases of SNC were more frequently seen in males than females (p < 0.001). Elderly patients had significantly higher comorbidity rates compared with nonelderly patients, which included congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease, and chronic renal failure (p < 0.001 for all). Elderly patients more frequently had postoperative cardiac complications (6.0% vs 0.5%, p < 0.001), but this finding was not statistically significant on multivariate analysis when controlling for race, sex, and comorbidities.

Conclusion

Elderly status is not an independent factor for postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for sinonasal malignancy.

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