Table 5.

Postoperative morbidity and mortality in elderly patients during the two periods n (%)

Variables	1990-1997 (n=17)	1998-2004 (n=43)	P value
Operation time (min)	255 ± 157	212 ± 104	0.008
Blood loss (mL)	520 ± 375	402 ± 249	0.003
Blood transfusion	13 (76.4)	19 (44.2)	0.04
Surgical complications
Anastomotic leakage	1 (5.9)	1 (2.3)	0.49
Hemorrhage	0 (0.0)	1 (2.3)	1
Chylothorax	1 (5.9)	1 (2.3)	0.49
Recurrent nerve paralysis	1 (5.9)	0 (0.0)	1
Wound dehiscence	0 (0.0)	1 (2.3)	1
Medical complications
Pulmonary	11 (64.7)	15 (34.9)	0.046
Cardiac	10 (58.8)	13 (30.2)	0.04
Renal	0 (0.0)	1 (2.3)	1
Hospital mortality rate	1 (5.9)	1 (2.3)	0.49