title: Long-term outcome of laparoscopic antireflux surgery in the elderly.
abstract: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare results and five-year surgical outcome of laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) in patients younger than 65 years and elderly patients aged 65 years or older. From January 1992 to December 1998, 2684 patients underwent LARS in 31 surgical units; 369 elderly patients (group 1) were compared with 2315 younger patients (group 2). Elderly patients have a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score (mean, 2.38 versus 1.98). The conversion rate was higher in group 1 (10.2%, n = 38 versus 6.1%, n = 142), as was the morbidity rate (7.6% in group 1 versus 4.5% in group 2). Mean hospital stay was longer for group 1 (7.6 +/- 5.6 days versus 5.9 +/- 2.8 days). Functional evaluation was excellent in both groups (91-93%) at 3 months and 2 and 5 years. LARS in the elderly is a safe and efficient procedure. Good results appear to be sustainable in the long term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Surgery, University Hospital, 4 Rue Larrey, 49953 Angers Cedex 09, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brehant
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pessaux
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Arnaud
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Delattre
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baulieux
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mosnier
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome