Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients aged 80 and over

Abstract

Introduction

The increasing aging of the population also increases the prevalence of symptomatic gallbladder diseases. It is important to analyse their surgical treatment in the elderly.

Methods

All the laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in our surgery department on patients aged 80 years-old or over from 1992 to 2007 were included in this study.

Results

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed on 133 patients 80 years-old and over, with 63% of them women, and an average age of 83.23 years. Biliary colic (29%) and acute pancreatitis (44%) were the main reasons for surgery. Associated diseases were found in 73% of them. Only 7.5% needed urgent surgery, even although 71% were admitted urgently.There were 13.5% conversions to open surgery, 17% morbidity, and 2.3% mortality.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be recommended in symptomatic gallbladder disease in the elderly.

Resumen

Introducción

Con el aumento de la esperanza de vida de la población, aumenta la prevalencia de litiasis biliar sintomática. Es importante analizar su tratamiento quirúrgico en ancianos.

Método

Se incluyó en el estudio a todos los pacientes con edad ≥ 80 años intervenidos en nuestro servicio de cirugía general mediante colecistectomía laparoscópica entre 1992 y 2007.

Resultados

Se realizó colecistectomía laparoscópica a 133 pacientes mayores de 80 años (media, 83,23 años; el 63% mujeres); predominaban en ellos los diagnósticos de cólico biliar (29%) y pancreatitis aguda (44%). El 73% presentaba comorbilidades. Sólo el 7,5% precisó intervención quirúrgica urgente, a pesar de que el 71% ingresó de manera urgente. Hubo un 13,5% de conversiones, un 17% de morbilidad y un 2,3% de mortalidad.

Conclusiones

La colecistectomía laparoscópica puede ser recomendada en ancianos con colelitiasis sintomática.