title: Laparoscopic appendectomy provides better outcomes than open appendectomy in elderly patients.
abstract: The incidence of acute appendicitis in elderly patients is increasing due to prolonged life span. The associated morbidity and mortality related to perforation of acute appendicitis continue to present challenges to physicians. The role of laparoscopic appendectomy is still controversial. This study aimed to compare the postoperative outcomes of elderly patients who received either a laparoscopic or an open appendectomy. We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients with acute appendicitis between January 2005 and February 2009. Elderly patients who received laparoscopic or open appendectomies were enrolled. The demographics, preoperative condition, operating time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative course were analyzed. A total of 150 patients were enrolled in this study. On average, patients who received a laparoscopic appendectomy had fewer hospital days and lower rates of postoperative ventilator dependence than patients who received an open appendectomy. In the management of elderly patients with acute appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy provides better outcomes than open appendectomy.
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Emergency Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Chi
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yu-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chih-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Ray-Jade
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hung-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jui-Chien
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chih-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Chi-Hsun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Chia-Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome