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Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly
1Department of Surgery, Temple University/Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, PA 15905, USA.
Background:
Few studies have examined the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the elderly. We reviewed our experience with the procedure in 194 patients age 65 and older.
Methods:
A chart review was performed on patients who underwent attempted LC over a 4-year period. Age, conversion rate to open cholecystectomy (OC), length of stay, and morbidity and mortality rates were compared between elective and inpatients as well as between patients age 65-75 and patients over age 75.
Results:
Conversion rate to OC was 10.6%. Mean length of hospital stay was 2.7 days. Morbidity and mortality rates were 18% and 1%. Elective patients experienced significantly fewer medical complications. There were no differences in complication rates between patients age 65-75 and patients over 75 years, but younger patients had a significantly shorter mean length of hospitalization.
Conclusions:
Elderly patients experience more complications and longer lengths of stay than the general population. However, our results compare favorably with OC series in elderly patients.