title: Laparoscopic appendectomy in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic and open appendectomy among the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on 53 elderly patients with a diagnosis of suspected appendicitis were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Among these patients, 24 had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and 29 had undergone open appendectomy (OA). The indications for either method were based on the patient's choice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant difference in operative time was found between the LA (70 +/- 28 min) and OA (60 +/- 22 min) groups. There was no statistically significant difference in lengths of hospital stay between the LA (4.8 +/- 3.0 days) and OA (5.0 +/- 3.1 days) groups, and there was a statistically significant difference in the postoperative analgesic doses between the LA (0.5 +/- 0.3 doses) and OA (1.7 +/- 1.5 doses) groups. No conversion of laparoscopic to open surgery was necessary, and no intraabdominal abscesses developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to this study, LA is as safe and effective as OA for the elderly. Furthermore, it significantly reduces postoperative wound pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Trauma and Emergency Center, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yuh-Der Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: H-R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: P-K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: L-B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Jeng
authors.forename: R-J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007902:Length of Stay; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics