Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy in Elderly Patients (> or =70 Years) with Gastric Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy between elderly and non-elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2015, a total of 273 patients undergoing laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma were divided into two age groups elderly (> or =70 years, n=71) vs. non-elderly ( or =70 years) was an independent risk factor (odds ratio=4.42, 95% confidence interval=1.50~13.01) for postoperative complications of grade III and above. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients are more vulnerable to grade III and above complications after laparoscopic total gastrectomy than non-elderly patients. Great care should be taken to prevent and monitor the development of anastomosis leakage in elderly patients after laparoscopic total gastrectomy.