title: Outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in elderly patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer in the elderly compared with younger patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively considered a consecutive unselected series of 159 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic procedures for colorectal cancer at our institution between January 2007 and December 2009. Of these patients, 101 (63.5%) were ≤ 70 years of age (Group A), and 58 (36.5%) were >70 (Group B). Operative steps and instrumentation were standardized. Demographics, disease-related, operative, and short-term data were analyzed for each group, and an appropriate statistical comparison was made. Comorbidity was quantified by using the Charlson Comorbidity Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We reviewed right colectomies (29.5%), left colectomies (44.7%), rectal resections (19.5%), and other procedures (6.3%). There was no significant difference in sex ratio, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiology score, type of surgical procedures, and tumor stage between Group A and Group B. A statistically higher comorbidity according to the Charlson index characterized Group B (2.2 vs 3.8; P=.034). Median operative time (228 ± 78.1min vs 224.3 ± 97.6min; NS), estimated blood loss (50.0 ± 94.8mL vs 31.2 ± 72.7mL; NS), conversion rate (2.0% vs 1.7%; NS), and timing to canalization (4.5 ± 1.7dd vs 4.4 ± 1.3dd; NS) were statistically comparable in both Groups. Group B was associated with a significantly longer length of hospital stay compared with Group A (8.1 ± 2.8dd vs 10.8 ± 6.6dd; P<.01) There was no statistically significant difference in major postoperative complications (3.8% vs 3.4%; NS), reoperations (0.9% vs 1.7%; NS), and 30-day mortality (0% vs 1.7%; NS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic colorectal surgery appears feasible and safe in elderly patients with increased comorbidity.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Presidio Ospedaliero "Galmarini"-Tradate; Azienda Ospedaliera "Ospedale di Circolo" - Busto Arsizio-Italy. francesco_roscio@ yahoo.it
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Roscio
authors: Camillo
authors: C
authors: Bertoglio
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: De Luca
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Frigerio
authors: Freddy
authors: F
authors: Galli
authors: Ildo
authors: I
authors: Scandroglio
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013812:Therapeutics