Laparoscopic colectomy in octogenarians and nonagenarians: a preferable option to open surgery?

To determine if laparoscopic colectomy is safer and more effective than open colectomy in patients older than 80 years of age.

An operating room database of all colectomies performed on patients >or=80 years, from January 2002 to September 2007, was analyzed retrospectively. Data reviewed included type of operation, type of resection, length of procedure, length of stay (LOS), estimated blood loss, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, diagnosis, complications, mortality rates, and discharge destination, with p-values <0.05 considered significant.

One hundred thirty-nine patients underwent open procedures (Open group) during the study period versus 150 patients who underwent laparoscopic procedures (Lap group). Of the Lap group, 15 patients were converted to open cases. Forty-four patients from the Open group were excluded from the analysis as they were treated emergently, leaving 95 patients in the Open group. The mortality for open procedures was significantly higher at 9/95 (9.4%), compared with 3/150 (2%) following laparoscopic procedures (p = 0.0132). LOS was significantly longer for open procedures (11.16 days) versus laparoscopic procedures (7.11 days), p = 0.0001. Open procedures were associated with an increased risk of postoperative ileus (p < 0.02). The Open group had a higher likelihood of discharge to a nursing facility (43/87) than the Lap group (33/147), p < 0.0001. There were no significant differences in the length of procedure, estimated blood loss and postoperative complications.

Laparoscopic colectomy is a safer option that offers an improved outcome compared with open colectomy in elderly patients. Significant improvements in LOS, mortality rates, and discharge destination were observed.