[Ninety cases of postoperative complications in elderly patients after surgical removal of meningiomas].
摘要
OBJECTIVE: To identify the causes and risk factors of postoperative complications in elderly patients receiving meningioma removal. METHODS: A total of 320 elderly patients received meningioma removal at our hospital between 1998 to 2007. Among them, 90 patients, aged 65 to 82 years old, developed postoperative complications. RESULTS: The diagnoses were confirmed by pathological findings. The average diameter of tumors was 5 cm. The average operative duration was 4.8 hours. Local or systemic complications occurring in this group of patients included new-onset neurological deficit (n = 37), prolonged coma (n = 16), central nervous system infection (n = 14), postoperative hematoma (n = 10), cerebral infarction (n = 7), CSF leakage (n = 12), pulmonary infection (n = 18), deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (n = 15), gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 3) and myocardial infarction (n = 2). Twelve patients died within 30 days after operation. Postoperative complications prolonged hospitalization and increased medical costs. CONCLUSION: Large size of tumors, difficulties in resection and preexisting conditions are primary causes of a high rate of operative morbidity in elderly patients receiving meningioma removal.