title: A comparison of laparoscopic versus open rectal surgery in 114 consecutive octogenarians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study is a retrospective review of the short-term outcome of all elective rectal resections in 114 consecutive octogenarian patients during the 10-year period January 2000 to December 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty laparoscopic and 54 open resections were completed. The two groups were evenly matched for age (mean 83 years), American Society of Anesthesiologists score (mean 2.5) and pathology (malignancy 60%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Morbidity and mortality were comparable with no significant differences. Only length of stay in uncomplicated recoveries was significantly different in favour of laparoscopic surgery at 10 vs 14 days, P < 0.003.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic rectal resection is suitable for octogenarians.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Tweed Hospital, Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia. staff@swhite.com.au
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies