As life expectancy increases so will the number of elderly people with correctable diseases. Laparoscopic surgery appears ideal choice with shorter hospitalization and faster recovery. Age older than 70 years is an independent predictor of increased postoperative complications, in- hospital mortality and length of hospital stay. Therefore, surgical interventions in elderly patients are associated with a higher morbidity than it is younger patients.
The aim of this study is to compare patients < 70 years old (group I) to Group II > 70 years old who underwent laparoscopic colon resection surgery. Methods: 499 charts of patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery between January 1996 and December 2006 were retrospectivelly reviewed. Results: Group I (< 70) 244 patients and group II (>=70) 255 patients underwent laparoscopic colon resection. Procedures in Group I, 109 sigmoid colectomy, 83 right colectomy , 21 left colectomy, 12 low anterior resection,7 transverse, 5 ileo cecal, and 17 others Group II 155 right colectomy, 49 sigmoid colectomy, 23 left colectomy ,13 low anterior resections, 9 transverse, 3 transverse, 3 ileocecal, and 40 other resections .
Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery is feasible for elderly patients. Intraoperative complications, operative time, transfusion rate and mortality are comparable to younger patients. Length of hospital stay, postoperative complications were significantly increased in the elderly patients group.
Session: Poster
Program Number: P107