Therapeutic strategies in the surgical management of pancreatic neoplasms in the elderly.

: The clinical records of all consecutive patients aged 65 and older undergoing surgical treatment for pancreatic neoplasms between January 1980 and January 1992 were reviewed in order to establish a clinical trial based on the morbidity and mortality rates related to the different surgical procedures. In early diagnosed neoplasms, in patients in good general condition, even in the geriatric age a radical surgical procedure is preferred. In other cases, a palliative surgical procedure has to be performed if possible, namely a bilio-digestive anastomosis, associated if necessary with a gastro-enteric anastomosis.