Laparoscopic surgery in the elderly: personal experience in 141 cases

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Increasing life expectancy leads to more elderly patients requiring surgical intervention.
• Laparoscopic surgery offers advantages but carries perceived risks for older adults due to comorbidities.
• Previous studies highlighted cardiac, respiratory, and general comorbidity risks in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and outcomes of laparoscopic surgery in patients over 65 years old.
• To assess the feasibility of minimally invasive approaches in an aging surgical population.
• To identify factors influencing the success of laparoscopic procedures in the elderly.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 141 patients aged 65+ who underwent laparoscopic procedures.
• Patient stratification based on the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score.
• Review of perioperative data including complications, conversion rates, and hospital stay.

Main Results:

• No mortality was reported in the study cohort.
• A 5.3% conversion rate to open surgery occurred due to bleeding or hypotension.
• Mean hospital stay was 5 days, with one postoperative myocardial infarction.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic surgery is a safe option for elderly patients with appropriate preoperative selection.
• An experienced surgical team and a multidisciplinary approach are crucial for successful outcomes.
• Careful patient selection can mitigate risks associated with minimally invasive surgery in older adults.