Article
Is age a risk factor in transsphenoidal surgery? A monocentric, prospective analysis
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Published: | May 21, 2013 |
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Outline
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Objective: Transsphenoidal surgery performed mainly for pituitary adenomas is known to be associated with low morbidity and mortality. Less is known about age as a risk factor which may affect outcome after transsphenoidal surgery and thus require particular attention in patients treated with this approach. This study aimed to determine the relationship of age and overall state of health with outcome and length of hospital stay after transsphenoidal surgery.
Method: Data sets of 71 consecutive patients undergoing endonasal transsphenoidal surgery between April 2010 and March 2012 were prospectively collected. Influence of age and preoperative ASA-score on outcome (GOS, transient/permanent morbidity, mortality) and length of hospital stay was analyzed.
Results: Median age of the 71 patients was 60 years (range 12-83). Patients were classified preoperatively according to ASA-score (ASA 1, n=5, 7%; ASA 2, n=52, 73%; ASA 3, n=14, 20%). The median length of hospital stay was 10 days (range 3-33 days). The patients' age significantly correlated with the preoperative ASA-score (p=0.001) and the total length of hospital stay (p=0.003). Patient age had no influence on postoperative GOS (p=0.460). The cumulative (transient/permanent) morbidity was 16,9% without influence of age (p=0.761). Mortality after 6 weeks was 0%.
Conclusions: Patients' age is associated with a lower preoperative ASA-score and longer hospitalization. Age does not seem to influence outcome after transsphenoidal surgery.