title: Laparoscopic colectomy yields similar morbidity and disability regardless of patient age.
abstract: This study compared the outcome factors of morbidity and the length of disability in older and younger patients following laparoscopic colorectal surgery. All patients undergoing laparoscopic segmental resection during the study period were included. Morbidity was determined by reviewing the medical records, and disability by a patient-administered questionnaire. The series was divided into two age cohorts (</=64 and >/=65 years), which did not differ significantly in gender or type of procedure. Between these two groups we found no significant differences in mean duration of ileus (3.3 days in both groups), the mean length of hospitalization (5.7 vs. 6.3 days, respectively), morbidity rate (18% vs. 21%), or time until returning to partial activity (1.6 vs. 1.6 weeks) or to full activity (3 vs. 2 weeks). Our findings demonstrate that neither the morbidity rate nor the disability period after laparoscopic techniques differ between elderly and younger patients. We therefore endorse the use of laparoscopy regardless of patient age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida, 3000 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, USA,
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Iroatulam
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Potenti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parameswaran
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Wexner
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000473:pathology; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D012189:Retrospective Studies