Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer in Elderly Patients

Lee, Yoon Suk; Lee, In Kyu; Kang, Won Kyung; Cho, Hyun Min; Park, Jong Kyung; Oh, Seung Teak; Kim, Jun Gi; Kim, Young Ha

Abstract

PURPOSE: Elderly colorectal cancer patients may have increased surgical morbidity and mortality due to comorbidity and compromised cardiopulmonary reserves. The aim of this study is to compare the safety and the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in patients of 70 years of age and older to those of patients younger than 70 years of age.
METHODS
From August 2004 to April 2006, the authors retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.
RESULTS
The elderly group included 35 cases, and the younger group included 67 cases. The mean age of the elderly group was 74.4+/-4.1, and that of the younger group was 58.2+/-9.5. Sixty-three percent (63%) of the elderly group and 27% of the younger group had co- morbidity. The mean operation time in the elderly group was 299.9+/-121.0 minutes, and that in the younger group was 295.1+/-110.8 minutes. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 17.7+/-8.6 in the elderly group and 19.4+/-9.8 in the younger group. The day of diet start was the 4.1+/-0.6 postoperative day in the elderly group and the 4.4+/-1.4 day in the younger group. Hospital stay was 16.0+/-7.6 in the elderly group and 15.5+/-4.6 days in the younger group. There were no statistical differences in terms of operation time, number of harvested lymph nodes, blood loss at operation, day of flatus passing, diet start, hospital stay, and complications. There was no surgical mortality in either groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer is a safe and effective treatment option in elderly patients.