RADICAL HYSTERECTOMY IN THE ELDERLY PATIENT - ANALYSIS OF MORBIDITY

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the perioperative morbidity and mortality following radical hysterectomy of patients older than 65 years with a younger age group who underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical carcinoma stage IB or IIA. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of morbidity and mortality for the first 60 postoperative days was conducted. The study population of 45 women > 65 years of age with cervical cancer treated by radical hysterectomy was compared with a control population of 90 women < 65 years treated similarly. RESULTS: In the elderly group, 31 of 45 and 12 of 15 were American Society of Anesthesologists Physical Status II and III respectively; 68/90 and 19/90 were American Society of Anesthesiologists status I and II in the younger age group (p = 0.001). Transfusions of > 2 units were required in 14% of the elderly and 35% of younger patients (p = 0.02). No statistical differences were observed between groups for other parameters examined. CONCLUSION: Age alone should not be a contraindication for radical hysterectomy in the elderly patient with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status I to III.