ABSTRACT
Objective To study the value of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for treating gallbladder benign diseases in aged patients. Methods Laparoscopy cholecystectomy (3-port or 4-port) was performed in 2335 senile patients with gallbladder benign diseases from December 1992 to May 2005. Results Five patients were found as having the Mirizzi syndrome and were given a subtotal cholecystectomy. In 18 patients with a frozen Callot’s triangle, the anterior wall of the gallbladder was resected and the mucous membrane on the posterior wall was electrocauterized. LC was completed smoothly in the remaining 2312 patients. No conversions to open surgery were needed. The operation time was 8~55 min (mean, 19 min), and the intraoperative blood loss was 1~ 50 ml (mean, 8 ml). An abdominal drainage tube was placed in 213 patients, including double-cannula lavage in 56 patients. The length of hospital stay was 4~16 d (mean, 6 d). Follow-up examinations for 10 days ~13 years in 1859 patients showed no biliary stenosis, gallbladder pouch, or residual stones. Conclusions Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and feasible in aged patients, being the first choice of operative method. Proper perioperative management, careful prevention co-morbidities, and control of operation time as short as possible are important for senile patients.
