title: Long term quality of life after laparoscopic antireflux surgery for the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have previously shown laparoscopic antireflux surgery is a safe and effective treatment for GERD even in elderly patients. The aim of the current study was to evaluate patients receiving laparoscopic antireflux surgery before and after 65 years of age and to assess their surgical outcomes and improvements in long term quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were given a standardized symptoms questionnaire and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey for quality-of-life evaluation before and after laparoscopic total fundoplication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-nine patients older than 65 years of age were defined as the elderly group (EG) whereas the remaining 262 younger than 65 years of age were defined as the young group (YG).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, laparoscopic total fundoplication is a safe and effective surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease generally warranting low morbidity and mortality rates and a significant improvement of symptoms comparable. An improved long-term quality of life is warranted even in the elderly.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tolone
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Docimo
authors.forename: Gianmattia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Genio
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brusciano
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Verde
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gili
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vitiello
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casalino
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lucido
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pirozzi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.forename: Ludovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Docimo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult