Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly.

BACKGROUND

Few studies have examined the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the elderly. We reviewed our experience with the procedure in 194 patients age 65 and older.

METHODS

A chart review was performed on patients who underwent attempted LC over a 4-year period. Age, conversion rate to open cholecystectomy (OC), length of stay, and morbidity and mortality rates were compared between elective and inpatients as well as between patients age 65-75 and patients over age 75.

RESULTS

Conversion rate to OC was 10.6%. Mean length of hospital stay was 2.7 days. Morbidity and mortality rates were 18% and 1%. Elective patients experienced significantly fewer medical complications. There were no differences in complication rates between patients age 65-75 and patients over 75 years, but younger patients had a significantly shorter mean length of hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients experience more complications and longer lengths of stay than the general population. However, our results compare favorably with OC series in elderly patients.