title: Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery: a safe and effective operation for the ≥60s?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The perceived benefits of Roux-en-Y laparoscopic gastric bypass (LRYGB) surgery in the ≥60s are regarded as being significantly less than in the younger population. This study examined a New Zealand population who underwent LRYGB and analysed the mortality rate, complications and postoperative weight loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent LRYGB over a 12-year period and had attended up to 1 year of follow-up clinic. The study population was from a single centre in New Zealand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1362 patients were eligible. Demographic analysis showed the <60 to have 83% female majority, mean age of 43 years and a mean body mass index of 46. The ≥60 group had a 76% female majority, mean age of 63 years and a mean body mass index of 45. The % excess weight loss, % weight loss and weight loss at 1 year all showed a significant difference. Analysis of the % excess weight loss at 1 year in the ≥60s showed a mean of 79% and a median of 78% (95% confidence interval: 69%, 85%). In the <60s the mean was 84% and the median 84% (95% confidence interval: 83%, 85%). Comparison between the groups showed a significant difference (Kruskal-Wallis test, P = 0.0064). The complication frequency of the groups was not significantly different (chi-square test, P = 0.7605).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LRYGB is an effective weight loss operation in the <60s and ≥60s. LRYGB is safe, with a low complication rate and 30-day postoperative mortality rate. LRYGB should not be restricted on the basis of age alone.
authors: Department of General Surgery, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Benedict
authors: B
authors: Mackay
authors: Epidemiology, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Lifeng
authors: L
authors: Zhou
authors: Bariatric Surgery, Surgical Obesity Services, Hamilton, New Zealand.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Schroeder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: bariatric surgery; obesity surgery