Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy in the Elderly: Short and Long-Term Outcomes

Background: Age is considered a significant risk factor for mortality following esophagectomy. We sought to evaluate surgical outcomes in elderly patients undergoing Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE) for cancer. Study design: Utilizing a prospectively maintained MIE database outcomes of elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) between (June 2005-August 2008) undergoing esophagectomy for cancer are reported. Primary outcome measures included operative mortality, length of stay, complications and long term survival. Results: Twenty elderly patients underwent MIE for malignancy during the 4 year period and median survival follow-up as 79 months (59-96). Complications occurred in 12 (60%) of 20. Mean length of stay was 12 days (8-34). Hospital mortality was 0 (0%) of 20 and overall two, three, and five year survival were 74%, 60%, and 50% respectively. Conclusions: Appropriate patients in this age group have excellent short, intermediate and long term survival following MIE. In experienced hands MID has a low mortality and should be considered an appropriate approach in the elderly population.