ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) in patients over 85 years old.Methods Three-port LC was performed in 79 patients aged over 85 years old from October 1996 to October 2006.Patients' co-morbidities were effectively controlled before operation.The operation was conducted under continuous epidural anesthesia,and the CO2 pneumoperitoneum pressure was set at 8～10 mm Hg.Results The LC was successfully completed in 70 patients,while conversions to open surgery were required in 9 patients(11.4%).Causes of conversions included severe intraperitoneal adhesion in 6 patients,uncontrolled bleeding in 1 patient,and suspicion of gallbladder carcinoma in 2 patients.Postoperative complications occurred in 10 patients(12.7%,10/79).Of them,1 patient died of acute myocardial infarction,and the remaining 9 patients were cured(including left heart failure in 1 patient,pulmonary infection in 2 patients,ileus in 1 patient,wound haematoma in 1 patient,fungal enteritis in 1 patient,and effusion in the gallbladder bed in 3 patients).Conclusions Proper peri-operative management,effective control of co-morbidities,and careful surgical performance are essential for a safe LC in patients over the age of 85.