Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Elderly patients undergoing pancreatic resection present unique challenges in postoperative care. Although mortality rates among elderly patients after pancreatectomy at high-volume centers is known to be low, the anticipated decline in functional status and nutritional parameters has received little attention. Functional decline is an unrecognized but critically important consequence of pancreatic resection in older patients. ⋯ Older patients are more likely than younger patients to require an ICU stay, suffer a cardiac complication, and experience compromised nutritional and functional status after major pancreatic resection.