Abstract
Background/Aims
Due to the recent increase in elderly population, laparoscopic surgery is more frequently performed in the elderly. This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery between the very elderly group (VEG), categorized as those with age over 80 years and the elderly group (EG), categorized as those with age 65 to 79 years.
Methods
We retrospectively compared 48 very elderly patients with 96 elderly patients (1:2 matched) who underwent laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancers at our institution between March 2010 and December 2014. The clinicopathologic parameters, surgical characteristics and short term outcomes were compared.
Results
There was no statistically significant difference in clinicopathologic characteristics between VEG and EG. Postoperative pain score (7 points vs. 6 points, p=0.264), time to first flatus (3 days vs. 3 days, p=0.335), hospital stay (15 days vs. 16.5 days, p=0.361), complication rates (47.9% vs. 26.0%, p=0.147) and major complication rate (25% vs. 20.8%, p=0.681) were not statistically different between the two groups. Before surgery, VEG had higher rate of neurologic underlying disease, such as dementia or cerebrovascular disease, than EG (25.0% vs. 7.3%, p=0.007).
Conclusions
There was no significant difference in the clinicopathologic characteristics, short-term outcomes, and complication rates for laparoscopic colorectal resection between VEG and EG, except delirium. Age over 80 years may be relevant for the application of laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection.
Figures and Tables
Table 1
Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Elderly Patients Who Underwent Laparoscopic Colectomy for Colorectal Cancer

Values are presented as mean (range) or n (%) unless otherwise indicated.
VEG, very elderly group ≥80 years; EG, elderly group ≥65 years and <80 years; CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen; ASA, American society of anesthesiologists; BMI, body mass index; NSSO, non sphincter saving operation including abdominoperineal resection and Hartmann's operation.
Table 2
Pathologic Results of Elderly Patients Who Underwent Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer

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