title: Results of laparoscopic gastric bypass in patients > or =55 years old.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) is a commonly performed surgical intervention for morbid obesity. Some authors considered age > or =55 years as a relative contraindication to bariatric surgery. We examined the operative outcomes, weight loss, hospital stay and resolution of co-morbidities in patients > or =55 years old compared with those <55 years old undergoing LRYGBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  From Jan 2000 to Feb 2005, 350 LRYGBPs were performed. 48 patients > or =55 years old (13.7%) were compared to the remaining patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the 48 patients > or =55 years old compared with 302 patients <55 revealed no difference in complication rate, although the older patients had a significantly greater percentage of serious complications. Younger patients lost more weight than older patients. Both groups demonstrated resolution of comorbidities, although the difference was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LRYGBP is safe and well tolerated in morbidly obese patients > or =55 years. The older patients had more serious complications and lost less weight; however, their weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities improved their quality of life. Age should not be a contraindication to bariatric surgery.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía General, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain. doloresfrutos@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Maria Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Frutos
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luján
authors.forename: Quiteria
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valero
authors.forename: Pascual
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parrilla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000145:classification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome