Background and purpose: With the aging of population

the percentage of the elderly patients with oral and maxillofacial cancers increased year by year. The main treatment method is surgery. In this study

we aimed to evaluate effects of surgery in patients aged 80 and older with oral and maxillofacial cancers.  Methods: The clinical data were collected from 139 patients with oral and maxillofacial malignant cancers from Jan. 2013 to Aug. 2017 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University

including preoperative evaluation

operation risk

perioperative complications. Results: Among the 139 cases

the average age was 84.3 (80-98) years

squamous cell carcinoma accounted for 78.4%. Patients received surgical procedures

and the major repair methods included random flap (sliding flap and rotation flap)

pedicle flap ［pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and submentalental island flap (SMIF)］

and free flap transplantation ［anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) and radial forearm free flap (RFFF)］. No patient died. The incidence of postoperative complications was 26.6%. Conclusion: Age should not be considered a contraindication by itself. The proper preoperative assessment and operative tolerance could determine the surgical options

and good therapeutic effects can be achieved in patients aged 80 and older with oral and maxillofacial cancers