Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly.

摘要

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.