Abstract
To characterize the effectiveness, safety, and length of stay (LOS) associated with pulmonary cryoablation for management of primary lung malignancies in patients aged ≥80 years.
A retrospective single-center database was compiled of all consecutive patients aged ≥80 years who underwent percutaneous computed tomography–guided cryoablation using modified triple-freeze protocol (1–3 ablation probes) for Stage IA–IIB primary lung malignancies between March 2017 and March 2020 (n = 19; 53% women; mean age, 85 years ± 3.5; range, 80–94 years). Follow-up imaging was assessed for local recurrence. Adverse events and LOS were recorded from chart review. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess both overall and local recurrence–free survival.
Mean patient follow-up period was 21.6 months ± 10.8, and mean imaging follow-up period was 19.2 months ± 9.6. Overall survival at 3 years was 94% (95% CI, 81%–100%). Local recurrence–free survival was 100% throughout the imaging follow-up period. Intraprocedural pneumothorax occurred in 37% (7 of 19) of patients; pneumothorax risk was significantly associated with increased tumor distance from pleura (odds ratio, 1.2; P = .018). Sixty-three percent (12 of 19) of patients were discharged on the day of the procedure, with a mean LOS of 7.7 hours ± 1.6, whereas 37% of patients required overnight observation (2 of 19) or admission (5 of 19), with a mean LOS of 48.1 hours ± 19.4. Overall LOS for all patients was 22.6 hours ± 22.9.
Percutaneous cryoablation of primary pulmonary malignancies can be performed in select octogenarians and nonagenarians with high 3-year overall and recurrence-free survival. Despite nonnegligible risk of pneumothorax, most patients are discharged on the day of the procedure.
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