title: Is the advanced age a contraindication to GERD laparoscopic surgery? Results of a long term follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this prospective non randomized observational cohort study we have evaluated the influence of age on outcome of laparoscopic total fundoplication for GERD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hundred and twenty consecutive patients underwent total laparoscopic fundoplication for GERD. Five hundred and twenty-four patients were younger than 65 years (YG), and 96 patients were 65 years or older (EG). The following parameters were considered in the preoperative and postoperative evaluation: presence, duration, and severity of GERD symptoms, presence of a hiatal hernia, manometric and 24 hour 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. 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 93.0% of young patients and in 88.9% of elderly patients (p = NS).
  
  
  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.
authors.forename: Landino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fei
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moccia
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guadagno
authors.forename: Ludovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Docimo
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cimmino
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Napolitano
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Docimo
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Napoletano
authors.forename: Ludovica
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guerriero
authors.forename: Beniamino
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pascotto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication / Q000379:methods*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult