2025 Poster Presentations
P325: OUTCOMES OF CRANIOFACIAL RESECTION IN ELDERLY PATIENTS: A 12-YEAR REVIEW FROM TWO CENTRES
Deepika Gunda, Dr1; Samuel Sharp, Dr2; Andrew Gogos, Dr2; Benjamin Dixon, AProf2; 1Epworth Healthcare, Richmond; 2St Vincent's Health Melbourne
Background: Craniofacial resection (CFR) is the first line treatment for malignant sinonasal tumours. Risks of complications and mortality after surgery increase with age. Currently, elderly patients are not excluded from undergoing CFR. The authors wanted to assess whether craniofacial resections should be performed in the elderly population. The aim of this study was to compare the complication rates in patients aged 70 years or above with their younger counterparts. The secondary outcome measures were to compare the survival rates and the length of stay in hospital between the two age groups.
Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent craniofacial resections for malignant sinonasal tumour at two institutions in Melbourne, Australia; St Vincent’s Health and Epworth Healthcare. Endoscopic and open resections were included in the study. Baseline characteristics and surgery specific information was collected. The rates of major complications, mortality and length of stay in hospital for patients aged 70 or above were compared with the younger group.
Results: The rate of major complication was 24.44% in patients aged below 70 years, while in the older group the complication rate was 17.86%. The complications rates were higher in patients who underwent open procedures within each age group. The most common major complications were cerebrospinal fluid leak and pneumocephalus. Interestingly, there were no events of mortality within 28 days of surgery in either age group. The mean length of hospital stay was 17.29 days for the patients aged below 70, while it was 16.16 days for the older group.
Conclusion: This study shows that patients undergoing CFR, aged 70 or above do not have higher complication rates and have similar length of stay when compared with those aged below 70 years. Ultimately, the decision to undergo endoscopic craniofacial resection should be made after careful consideration of individual patient factors, health status, patient preferences and medical comorbidities, instead of age itself.