title: Long-term outcome of robotic-assisted laparoscopic rectopexy for full-thickness rectal prolapse in elderly patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Full-thickness rectal prolapse is common in the elderly, but there are no particular practice guidelines for its surgical management. We evaluated retrospectively the perioperative and long-term clinical results and function in elderly and younger patients with complete rectal prolapse after robotic-assisted laparoscopic rectopexy (RALR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven patients who underwent RALR between 2002 and 2010 were divided into Group A (age < 75 years, n = 59) and Group B (age > 75 years, n = 18). Operative time, intra- and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, short-term and long-term outcomes, recurrence rate and degree of satisfaction were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the groups regarding operation time, conversion, morbidity or length of hospital stay. At a median follow-up of 51.8 (5-115) months, there was no difference in the improvement of faecal incontinence, recurrence and the degree of satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robotic-assisted laparoscopic rectopexy is safe in patients aged over 75 years and gives similar results to those in patients aged < 75 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Surgery, University Hospital of Nancy-Brabois, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germain
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perrenot
authors.forename: M-L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Scherrer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ayav
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brunaud
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ayav
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bresler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Da Vinci; Robotic surgery; elderly patients; faecal incontinence; rectal prolapse; rectopexy