Laparoscopic Surgery Is Acceptable for Elderly Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Propensity Score-matched Study

Background/Aim: The study was performed to examine the suitability of laparoscopic surgery for elderly patients with colorectal cancer. Patients and Methods: The subjects were 242 patients aged >= 80 years who underwent primary tumor resection of colorectal cancer using laparoscopic assisted colectomy (LAC, n=145) or open colectomy (OC, n=97). Propensity score matching used to balance the characteristics of the groups resulted in 76 patients being assigned to each group. Results: Before matching, Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA-PS), and previous abdominal surgery differed significantly between the groups (p<0.05), but after matching, all covariates were balanced (p >= 0.05). Short-term outcomes were better after LAC (p<0.05), including fewer postoperative complications and less delirium. Regarding long-term outcomes, 5-year overall survival did not differ significantly between the groups (p=0.91). Conclusion: In elderly patients with colorectal cancer, short-term results are better after LAC than OC and long-term results are similar. These findings indicate that LAC is acceptable in this patient population.

Automated summary

The study found that in elderly patients, short-term outcomes were better after laparoscopic assisted colectomy (LAC) for colorectal cancer compared to open colectomy (OC), while long-term outcomes were similar.