Laparoscopic Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) Resection in a 108-Year-Old Patient

TL;DR

A 108-year-old woman successfully underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove a stomach tumor, showing that careful planning can make such procedures safe for very elderly patients.

Contribution

Demonstrates successful laparoscopic GIST resection in a 108-year-old, emphasizing individualized care for centenarians.

Findings

Laparoscopic resection was safely performed in a 108-year-old patient with a gastric GIST.

Thorough preoperative assessment and multidisciplinary planning were critical to the successful outcome.

No adverse effects were observed post-surgery, highlighting the feasibility of such procedures in extreme elderly cases.

Abstract

Surgery for centenarians comes with unprecedented challenges and risks. The limited physical reserve and fragility of homeostatic control in this population reduces their ability to adapt to physiological changes encountered during open and laparoscopic surgery. This case report presents a 108-year-old female patient who underwent laparoscopic resection of a symptomatic gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), without any adverse effects. The case highlights the importance of thorough preoperative risk assessment and planning, multidisciplinary input, and individualised patient care.

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