Dr Allardyce and colleagues from Australia performed a retrospective analysis of age-related postoperative morbidity in the Australia and New Zealand prospective randomized controlled trial.
The research team compared laparoscopic with open resection for right- and left-sided colonic cancer.
The research team evaluated a total of 592 eligible patients from 1998 to 2005.
Data from 294 patients who underwent laparoscopic, and 298 who had open colonic resection were analyzed.
The team observed that 266 patients were aged less than 70 years, and 326 were 70 years or older.
 |
| Fewer patients in the laparoscopy group experienced any complication |
| British Journal of Surgery |
The research team converted 43 laparoscopic operations to an open procedure.
The research team found fewer complications were reported for laparoscopic resections compared with open procedures, owing primarily to a lower rate in patients aged 70 years or more.
Fewer patients in the laparoscopic group experienced any complication, especially patients aged 70 years or above.
Dr Allardyce and team concluded, “Treatment choices for colonic cancer depend principally upon disease-free survival”.
“However, patients aged 70 years or over should have rigorous preoperative investigation to avoid conversion and should be considered for laparoscopic colonic resection.”
| 
Email this page to a colleague
