Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Clinical Application of Single-Surgeon, Three-Port, Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer with Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction
Published on: March 24, 2023
Laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer in elderly patients
Valentino Fiscon1, Giuseppe Portale, Giovanni Migliorini
1Department of General Surgery Azienda ULSS 15 Alta Padovana, Cittadella, Padova, Italy. valentino.fiscon@virgilio.it
Aims And Background:
Aging of the population and a longer life expectancy have led to an increased number of elderly patients presenting with colorectal cancer and searching for treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of age on the outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer at a single department.
Methods:
Perioperative outcome of patients > or =75 years old undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery between June 2005 and January 2009 for colorectal cancer were compared with findings in younger patients.
Results:
The analysis considered 134 patients <75 years and 82 patients > or =75 years of age. There was a significant difference in perioperative risk factors, as reflected by different ASA scores and a significantly higher postoperative 'medical' morbidity, but 'surgical' morbidity was similar in the two groups and remained low.
Discussion:
Surgical morbidity rate was not affected by age. Cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbid conditions were mainly responsible for the higher morbidity rate reported in the elderly patients, although advanced age, per se, should not be considered a contraindication to laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer.
