Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer poses few limitations for selected elderly patients: a single-center experience.
BACKGROUND
The safety and efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for early gastric cancer have been demonstrated in clinical studies. The aim of this study was to clarify the safety and efficacy of LADG in patients ≥80 years of age with early gastric cancer, an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification of 1-2, and a performance status (PS) of 0-1.


METHODS
From April 2009 to July 2011, 12 elderly patients aged ≥80 years and 43 younger patients underwent LADG for early gastric cancer. Seven of the 55 patients underwent LADG and simultaneous surgery including surgery for colorectal cancer, cholecystectomy, or other conditions. Forty-eight of the 55 patients who underwent only LADG were studied. Demographics and postoperative outcomes were compared.


RESULTS
The postoperative complication rate, time to first ambulation, time to first flatus, time to first fluid intake, and postoperative hospital stay were similar in these two groups. Nutritional status as assessed by body weight, serum albumin, and total protein at 1 and 3 months after surgery was also similar in these two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative outcomes were acceptable in the elderly patients included in the study. LADG for early gastric cancer is a safe and effective treatment in elderly patients aged ≥80 years with an ASA status of 1-2 and PS of 0-1.
Department of Surgery, Saga-Ken Medical Centre Koseikan, 400 Kase-machi, Nakabaru, Saga, 840-8571, Japan. gottingottin2000@yahoo.co.jp.
Go
G
Anegawa
Department of Surgery, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Ehime, Japan.
Yuichiro
Y
Nakashima
Department of Surgery, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Ehime, Japan.
Yoshihiko
Y
Fujinaka
Department of Surgery, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital, Ehime, Japan.
Ikuo
I
Takahashi
Early gastric cancer; Elderly patients; LADG