Subcranial Tumor Resections in the Elderly Patient

Objective: To present our results of surgical excision of anterior skull base tumors via the subcranial approach in elderly patients.

Methods: Of 140 anterior skull base tumor resections, 12 patients (5 men, 7 women) were >70 years old (10%). The mean age was 75 years with a range of 71–83 years. Tumor histology included 8 malignant and 4 benign tumors. In all patients, the procedures were performed via the extended subcranial approach to the anterior skull base. The operative and the perioperative results were analyzed. Furthermore, complication and survival rates were measured.

Results: Complete macroscopic tumor resection was achieved in all patients. Six patients (50%) had perioperative complications. Major complications included meningitis (n = 1) and sepsis (n = 1).There were no operation-related deaths. With a mean follow-up of 40 months, 3 patients are alive and well, 4 patients died of disease and 5 patients died of other causes.

Conclusions: The subcranial approach performed on elderly patients yielded worse survival rates than in the younger population. These patients are also at high risk for developing postsurgical complications.