| Theme | Gastrointestinal Disease in the Elderly Focusing on Minimally Invasive Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Review of Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Cancer in the Elderly | |
| Publish Date | 2007/12 | |
| Author | Kazuhiro Yasuda | Department of Surgery I, Oita University Faculty of Medicine |
| Author | Tsuyoshi Etoh | Department of Surgery I, Oita University Faculty of Medicine |
| Author | Kyuzo Fujii | Department of Surgery I, Oita University Faculty of Medicine |
| Author | Masafumi Inomata | Department of Surgery I, Oita University Faculty of Medicine |
| Author | Norio Shiraishi | Department of Surgery I, Oita University Faculty of Medicine |
| Author | Seigo Kitano | Department of Surgery I, Oita University Faculty of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | This study provides an overview of the reported outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy for cancer in the elderly. Only three case-control studies regarding laparoscopic gastrectomy in elderly patients have been carried out. Although co-morbidity was more common in elderly patients than in younger patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomies, operation time, blood loss, postoperative complication rates, and postoperative hospital stays were similar in elderly and younger patients. Elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomies had significantly reduced blood loss, shorter time to first flatus, and shorter postoperative hospital stays than elderly patients who had open gastrectomies. Currently available data shows that laparoscopic gastrectomies for elderly patients is safe and useful, and it improves the short-term outcome, in comparison with open gastrectomies. Further studies, including basic research on the hemodynamic effects of pneumoperitoneum, are needed to establish the role of laparoscopic gastrectomy for cancer in the elderly. |
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