Thyroid surgery in octogenarians is associated with higher complication rates

Background: The incidence of thyroid nodules increases with age and little information is available regarding the risks of thyroid surgery in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether thyroid surgery in patients ≥80 is associated with higher complication rates. Methods: Out of 3,568 patients undergoing thyroid surgery between July 2001 and October 2007 at a single institution, the records of 90 consecutive patients ≥80 years were reviewed retrospectively and compared with a cohort of 242 randomly selected patients aged 18-79, who underwent thyroid surgery during the same time period. Clinical variables included age, gender, pre-operative diagnosis, substernal component, previous surgery, final pathology, length of stay, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, body mass index, postoperative complications, and mortality. Results: Preoperative indications for surgery included benign disease in 51% vs 39%, suspected malignancy in 19% vs 26%, and suspected follicular neoplasms in 30% vs 35% in the octogenarian patient group (≥80 years old) vs the younger patient cohort (P = NS). Octogenarians had 20% significant malignancy on final pathology vs 27% in the younger cohort (P = NS). The overall complication rate in the octogenarian group was 24% vs 9% in the younger cohort (P < .001). Male gender and ASA ≥3 were found to be independent risk factors for perioperative complications after thyroid surgery, while age alone was not. Conclusion: Age ≥80 is associated with higher morbidity after thyroid surgery, although not independently. Earlier operative intervention may be advised in those at high risk for disease progression, whereas follow-up strategies without operation may be advised for others.