Laparoscopic colectomy in the elderly: when is too old? 2006

Matthew G Mutch
Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. mutchm@wudosis.wustl.edu

To date, there is little literature regarding the impact of laparoscopic colectomy in the elderly population (i.e., patients older than 70 years) as the vast majority of studies regarding laparoscopic colectomy have evaluated younger patients (younger than 65 years). It is unknown whether elderly patients garner the same benefits from laparoscopic colectomy that younger patients have been shown to receive. As a result, there may be a reluctance to offer laparoscopy to elderly patients. The majority of the reports suggest that laparoscopic colectomy in the elderly is safe and provides the same benefits as laparoscopic colectomy in a younger population. Although an elderly population does not return to the work force, the benefits in the elderly population are related to a return to independence more often than after conventional surgery without an increase in hospital costs. Based on the current literature, one may never be too old to have a laparoscopic colectomy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Matthew G Mutch
June 2019, Acta medica portuguesa,
Matthew G Mutch
March 2015, Przeglad menopauzalny = Menopause review,
Matthew G Mutch
October 2010, The Journal of invasive cardiology,
Matthew G Mutch
July 2023, JACC. Clinical electrophysiology,
Matthew G Mutch
December 2017, Intensive care medicine,
Matthew G Mutch
April 2011, Current opinion in organ transplantation,
Matthew G Mutch
February 2007, Zeitschrift fur Gerontologie und Geriatrie,
Matthew G Mutch
May 2016, Journal of the American College of Surgeons,
Copied contents to your clipboard!