title: Outcome of laparoscopic rectopexy for complete rectal prolapse in patients older than 70 years versus younger patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic rectopexy for complete rectal prolapse in patients above 70 years of age, compared with that in younger patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between October 1997 and September 2001, 14 consecutive patients with complete rectal prolapse underwent laparoscopic rectopexy. Nine patients were aged 70 years or older, and five were aged under 70 years. All of the patients were ambulant and well enough to tolerate surgery under general anesthesia. Each patient was monitored pre- and postoperatively, for fecal incontinence, constipation, recurrent prolapse, morbidity, and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow-up period was 34.5 (range 5-54) months. No significant differences were noted in the hospitalization, incidence of complications, recurrence rate, and functional outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcome of laparoscopic rectopexy in elderly patients is similar to that in younger patients. Therefore, advanced age alone should not be a contraindication to laparoscopic rectopexy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Advanced Surgical Science and Technology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaiwa
authors.forename: Yoshimochi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurokawa
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Namiki
authors.forename: Takahito
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Myojin
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ansai
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Satomi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome