Ann Coloproctol.  2015 Dec;31(6):228-234. 10.3393/ac.2015.31.6.228.

Age Over 80 is a Possible Risk Factor for Postoperative Morbidity After a Laparoscopic Resection of Colorectal Cancer

• Kang T
• Kim HO
• Kim H
• Chun HK
• Han WK
• Jung KU

• KMID: 2150963
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2015.31.6.228

Abstract

PURPOSE
With extended life expectancy, the mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis of colorectal cancer and its treatment, including radical resection, is increasing gradually. We aimed to evaluate the impact of age on postoperative clinical outcomes after a laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancers.
METHODS
This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Patients with primary colorectal malignancies or premalignant lesions who underwent laparoscopic colectomies between January 2009 and April 2013 were identified. Patients were divided into 6 groups by age using 70, 75, and 80 years as cutoffs: younger than 70, 70 or older, younger than 75, 75 or older, younger than 80, and 80 or older. Demographics, pathological parameters, and postoperative clinical outcomes, including postoperative morbidity, were compared between the younger and the older age groups.
RESULTS
All 578 patients underwent a laparoscopic colorectal resection. The overall postoperative complication rate was 21.1% (n = 122). There were 4 cases of operative mortality (0.7%). Postoperative complication rates were consistently higher in the older groups at all three cutoffs; however, only the comparison with a cutoff at 80 years showed a statistically significant difference between the younger and the older groups.
CONCLUSION
Age over 80 is a possible risk factor for postoperative morbidity after a laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer.

Keyword

Colonic neoplasms; Aged; Laparoscopy

MeSH Terms

Colectomy
Colonic Neoplasms
Colorectal Neoplasms*
Demography
Diagnosis
Humans
Laparoscopy
Life Expectancy
Mortality
Postoperative Complications
Prospective Studies
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors*