[Ninety cases of postoperative complications in elderly patients after surgical removal of meningiomas]

To identify the causes and risk factors of postoperative complications in elderly patients receiving meningioma removal.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.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.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.