Commentary on "Detailed analysis of morbidity following nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma in octogenarians." Berger J, Fardoun T, Brassart E, Capon G, Bigot P, Bernhard JC, Rigaud J, Patard JJ, Descazeaud A, Department of Urology, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France. J Urol 2012;188(3):736-40 (Epub 2012 Jul 19).

We evaluated the morbidity of nephrectomy in patients older than 80 years of age.Between June 2002 and March 2011, 2,530 patients underwent surgery for renal tumor at 5 French academic centers. Of these patients, 180 (7.1%) were 80 years of age or older; 22 (12%) and 158 (88%) patients underwent partial and radical nephrectomy, respectively, and 47 (26.1%) of whom were treated with a laparoscopic approach.Mean patient age was 82.3 years. Median Charlson score was 4. Mean preoperative glomerular filtration rate was 47. ml/min. A total of 136 complications were recorded in 70 patients (38.8% of all patients). Of these patients, 28 (15.5%), 25 (13.9%), and 17 (9.4%) experienced 1, 2, and 3 or more complications, respectively. According to the modified Clavien classification grade I, II, III, IV, and V complications were observed in 7, 81, 19, 23, and 6 patients, respectively. The transfusion rate was 31.1% (56). On logistic regression analysis, the parameters of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 2 to 4 (P = 0.035) and preoperative glomerular filtration rate less than 30. ml/min (P = 0.03) were independent predictive factors of morbidity.Morbidity and mortality are significant in the octogenarian population. The risk of complications should be considered in decision making for patients with renal cell carcinoma who were older than age 80 years.