gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: In the industrialized nations of the western hemisphere the age group beyond 75 years will grow steadily requiring special attention by medical professionals in the future. Nowadays laryngeal cancer is often treated by transoral CO2 laser microsurgery. Because of a variety of comorbidities, the incidence of intra- and postoperative complications in the group of elderly patients is of increasing interest. Until today there is no reference in literature discussing complications after transoral CO2 laser microsurgery in this age group.

Patients and Methods: With regard to these expectations 24 patients beyond the age of 75 suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and treated by CO2 laser microsurgery since 1998 were analyzed for intra- and postoperative complications.

Results: There was no evidence for intraoperative complications at all. Postoperatively, one patient developed angina pectoris symptoms. Furthermore no severe life-threatening complications occurred. Postoperatively, 6/24 complaint about dysphagia. Due to an intraoperative placement of naso-gastric feeding tubes in these 6 cases further complications like pneumonia resulting from aspiration could have been avoided.

Conclusion: The results of the present study show that cancer of the larynx in elderly patients should be treated with curative intention, if the extension of the primary tumour allows safe resection. Transoral CO2 laser microsurgery is associated with a low rate of major intra- and postoperative complications and can be regarded as a suitable treatment option even for elderly patients if the indication for resection is chosen responsibly. Age itself should never be the sole factor deciding which therapy should be undertaken.