Laparoscopic vs. open colectomies in octogenarians: a case-matched control study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to define any benefits in terms of early outcome for laparoscopic colectomy in patients over 80 years old compared with open colectomy.


METHODS
Sixty-one patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal cancer were matched to 61 open colectomy patients for gender, age, year of surgery, site of cancer, and comorbidity on admission. Independence status on admission and at discharge from the hospital was also evaluated.


RESULTS
Mean (standard deviation) age was 82.3 (3.5) years in the laparoscopy group and 83.1 (3.3) years in the open group. Conversion rate was 6.1 percent. Operative time was 49 minutes longer in the laparoscopy group (P = 0.001). The overall mortality rate was 2.4 percent. The morbidity rate was 21.5 percent in the laparoscopy group and 31.1 percent in the open group (P = 0.30). Patients in the laparoscopy group had a faster recovery of bowel function (P = 0.01) and a significant reduction of the mean length of hospital stay (9.8 vs. 12.9 days for the open group, P = 0.001). Laparoscopy allowed a better preservation of postoperative independence status compared with the that of the open group (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic colectomy for cancer in octogenarians is safe and beneficial including preservation of postoperative independence and a reduction of length of hospital stay.
Vignali
Andrea
A
Department of Surgery, IRCCS San Raffaele, University Vita-salute, Milan, Italy. vignali.andrea@hsr.it
Di Palo
Saverio
S
Tamburini
Andrea
A
Radaelli
Giovanni
G
Orsenigo
Elena
E
Staudacher
Carlo
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome