Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted surgery for primary rectal cancer in elderly patients / 肿瘤研究与临床

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the short-term results of laparoscopic-assisted with open surgery for primary rectal cancer in elderly patients. Methods The medical records of forty-nine elderly patients (≥70 years) with laparoscopic-assisted resection and fifty-five cases (≥70 years) with open surgery for rectal cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were no thirty-day mortality in both groups. Operative procedure and operating time did not differ significantly in laparoscopic-assisted group (LAG) and open group (OG), and blood loss was significantly greater in OG (P =0.031). The rate of postoperative complications was lower (12.2 % vs 25.5 %) in LAG than that in OG, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.088). The time to faltus (3.26 d vs. 4.49 d) and time to liquid diet (3.98 d vs.5.56 d) were significantly shorter in LAG than that in OG. Both the circumferential and distal margins were negative. The number of identified lymph nodes were similar for LAG and OG (mean 13.31 vs 13.13, P =0.886). Conclusion Laparoscopic-assisted rectal resection for elderly patients is safe and feasible, with less complications and blood loss, and rapid intestinal recovery compared with open surgery.