title: Colorectal resection in nonagenarians: effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number and proportion of elderly persons in the general population have been increasing. Inevitably, the incidence of colorectal carcinoma has also increased. Although substantial evidence indicates that surgery is well tolerated in patients 80 years or older, studies in nonagenarians are not well documented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive nonagenarians and octogenarians who underwent elective laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) from September 2009 through October 2011 were studied. Data on medical history, ASA score, details of operations, and postoperative events were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LAC was performed in nine nonagenarians and seven octogenarians. There were no complications related to laparoscopy. No patient required conversion from LAC to an open procedure or died postoperatively. Peristalsis was confirmed and oral intake was initiated on postoperative days 2.6 and 2.7, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic surgery is considered an extremely useful treatment for very old patients because it has a low risk of postoperative complications, even in the presence of pre-existing diseases. We conclude that LAC may be indicated in nonagenarians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kansai Electric Power Hospital, Osaka, Japan; Department of Surgery, Obama Municipal Hospital, Obama, Japan; Department of Surgery, Moriyama Municipal Hospital, Moriyama, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Soma
authors.forename: Motoki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugano
authors.forename: Chihiro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: Masae
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Izumi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fukui
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003082:Colectomy; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Colorectal cancer; laparoscopic surgery; nonagenarian