BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the feasibility and the complications or benefits of laparoscopic colectomy for sigmoid diverticulitis in patients aged 75 years or more. METHODOLOGY: From January 1993 to December 1999, 85 patients underwent an elective colectomy for sigmoid diverticulitis. Twenty-two patients over 75-years old (group 1) were compared to 63 younger patients (group 2). RESULTS: In group 1, there were 12 women and 10 men, with a mean age of 77.2 years (range: 75-82); In group 2, there were 35 women and 28 men, with a mean age of 53.7 years (range: 38-74) (P = 1.10-14). The operative time was shorter in group 2 (183 vs. 234 min). There was no difference between the 2 groups with regard to the postoperative period during which parenteral analgesics were required (5.4 vs. 5.2 days, P = 0.48) and the postoperative morbidity (18% vs. 14%, P = 0.06). Postoperative length of hospital stay (13.1 vs. 8.8 days, P = 0.003) was shorter in group 2 than in group 1. There was no perioperative mortality. Conversion rate was 9% (group 1) and 6% (group 2) (P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, data from the present study suggest that laparoscopic colectomy for sigmoid diverticulitis can be applied safely to older patients with fewer complications, less pain, shorter hospital stay and a rapid return to preoperative activity levels.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the feasibility and the complications or benefits of laparoscopic colectomy for sigmoid diverticulitis in patients aged 75 years or more. METHODOLOGY: From January 1993 to December 1999, 85 patients underwent an elective colectomy for sigmoid diverticulitis. Twenty-two patients over 75-years old (group 1) were compared to 63 younger patients (group 2). RESULTS: In group 1, there were 12 women and 10 men, with a mean age of 77.2 years (range: 75-82); In group 2, there were 35 women and 28 men, with a mean age of 53.7 years (range: 38-74) (P = 1.10-14). The operative time was shorter in group 2 (183 vs. 234 min). There was no difference between the 2 groups with regard to the postoperative period during which parenteral analgesics were required (5.4 vs. 5.2 days, P = 0.48) and the postoperative morbidity (18% vs. 14%, P = 0.06). Postoperative length of hospital stay (13.1 vs. 8.8 days, P = 0.003) was shorter in group 2 than in group 1. There was no perioperative mortality. Conversion rate was 9% (group 1) and 6% (group 2) (P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, data from the present study suggest that laparoscopic colectomy for sigmoid diverticulitis can be applied safely to older patients with fewer complications, less pain, shorter hospital stay and a rapid return to preoperative activity levels.
Authors: Vincenzo Bottino; Maria Grazia Esposito; Arianna Mottola; Giampaolo Marte; Vittorio Di Maio; Valerio Sciascia; Marco Nunziante; Giovanni Fregola; Salvatore Cuzzovaglia; Francesco Galante; Federica Andreoli; Alfredo Breglia; Maria Elena Giuliano; Domenico Papaleo; Paola Della Rocca; Pietro Maida Journal: BMC Surg Date: 2012-11-15 Impact factor: 2.102