Objective To explore the perioperative management of the coexisting diseases for the elderly patients with gastric cancer. Methods The clinical data of perioperative management for coexisting diseases in 528 patients with gastric cancer over 70 years old treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from March 1980 to November 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Results The main coexisting diseases included cardiovascuclar disease (259 cases, 49.05%), respiratory disease (161 cases, 30.49%), diabetes (72 cases, 13.64%). Adjusting blood pressure and blood glucose, improving cardiopulmonary function, and hepatic and renal function were mainly given. The common postoperative complications included intestinal obstruction (10 cases), pneumonia (10 cases), reflux esophagitis (9 cases), functional evacuation disorder of gastric remnant (7 cases), and anastomotic leakage (5 cases). Ten patients died during perioperative period: 6 died of heart and lung failure, 2 of acute myocardial infarction, 1 of anastomotic leakage, 1 of intestinal obstruction. Conclusions The common coexisting diseases in the elderly patients with gastric cancer are hypertension， bronchitis and diabetes. Complete assessment of the patient’s general health before operation and intensive perioperative management of the coexisting diseases not only can decrease the risk of surgical procedures， but also decrease the incidence of complication and perioperative mortality.
Objective To explore the perioperative management of the coexisting diseases for the elderly patients with gastric cancer. Methods The clinical data of perioperative management for coexisting diseases in 528 patients with gastric cancer over 70 years old treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from March 1980 to November 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Results The main coexisting diseases included cardiovascuclar disease (259 cases, 49.05%), respiratory disease (161 cases, 30.49%), diabetes (72 cases, 13.64%). Adjusting blood pressure and blood glucose, improving cardiopulmonary function, and hepatic and renal function were mainly given. The common postoperative complications included intestinal obstruction (10 cases), pneumonia (10 cases), reflux esophagitis (9 cases), functional evacuation disorder of gastric remnant (7 cases), and anastomotic leakage (5 cases). Ten patients died during perioperative period: 6 died of heart and lung failure, 2 of acute myocardial infarction, 1 of anastomotic leakage, 1 of intestinal obstruction. Conclusions The common coexisting diseases in the elderly patients with gastric cancer are hypertension， bronchitis and diabetes. Complete assessment of the patient’s general health before operation and intensive perioperative management of the coexisting diseases not only can decrease the risk of surgical procedures， but also decrease the incidence of complication and perioperative mortality.