Abstract
Background Although endoscopic resection is safe and effective for gastric epithelial neoplasms, information is limited on its efficacy and safety in extremely elderly patients who have various comorbidities. Further, the relationship between comorbidities and complications of endoscopic resection is not well established. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection of gastric epithelial neoplasms in extremely elderly patients. Methods From October 2008 to December 2017, 4475 consecutive patients underwent endoscopic resection of gastric epithelial neoplasms. Among them, 242 were 75 years or older. We assessed Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) scores, procedural outcomes, and procedure- and sedation-related complications related to endoscopic resection. Results Mean patient age was 78 (range, 75–88) years. Of the 242 patients, 124 (51.2%) had low-grade dysplasia and 112 (46.3%) had high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma. The most common comorbidity was hypertension (55.4%), followed by diabetes (23.1%). The mean CCI score was 5.0 ± 1.5. Eighty patients (33.1%) had a CCI score ≥ 6. During the procedure, 10 (4.1%) patients had desaturation that recovered by flumazenil use with mask (n=2) or Ambu bag (n=3) ventilation. During subsequent admission, in addition to abdominal pain (35.1%), atelectasis and pneumonia occurred in 45 (18.6%) patients, hypotension in 27 (11.2%), and post-procedural bleeding in 12 (5.0%). Respiratory complications were more common in patients with a CCI score ≥ 6 (23/80, 28.7%) than in those with a CCI score < 6 (22/162, 13.6%, P=0.001). Conclusions CCI score is related to respiratory complications of endoscopic resection in elderly patients. Endoscopic resection must be performed cautiously, particularly in elderly patients with a high CCI score, to prevent respiratory complications.
Risk factors for synchronous or metachronous tumor development after endoscopic resection of gastric neoplasms
