Influence of age on outcome of total laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that age does not influence the choice of treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We hypothesized that the outcome of total fundoplication in patients > 65 years is similar to that of patients aged < or = 65 years.


METHODS
Four hundred and twenty consecutive patients underwent total laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD. Three hundred and fifty-five patients were younger than 65 years (group Y), and 65 patients were 65 years or older (group E). The following elements were considered: presence, duration, and severity of GERD symptoms; presence of a hiatal hernia; manometric evaluation, 24 h pH-monitoring data, duration of operation; incidence of complications; and length of hospital stay.


RESULTS
Elderly patients more often had atypical symptoms of GERD and at manometric evaluation had a higher rate of impaired esophageal peristalsis in comparison with younger patients. A mild intensity of heartburn often leads physicians to underestimate the severity of erosive esophagitis. The duration of the operation was similar between the two groups. The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was low and the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups. An excellent outcome was observed in 92.9% young patients and 91.9% elderly patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is a safe and effective treatment for GERD even in elderly patients, warranting low morbidity and mortality rates and a significant improvement of symptoms comparable to younger patients.
Pizza
F
F
1st Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Second University of Naples, Via Villa Albertini, 39 bis, Nola 80037, Naples, Italy. francesco_pizza@libero.it
Rossetti
G
G
Limongelli
P
P
Del Genio
G
G
Maffettone
V
V
Napolitano
V
V
Brusciano
L
L
Russo
G
G
Tolone
S
S
Di Martino
M
M
Del Genio
A
A
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies