Safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic colorectal resection in elderly patients with colorectal cancer: A propensity score matching study

Abstract

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery in elderly patients with colorectal cancer. Patients and Methods: In total, 223 patients aged <75 years and 66 patients aged 75 years who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection were included. Short-and long-term outcomes were compared between the younger and elderly patients after propensity score matching. Results: Post-operative complications were similar in both groups (younger vs. elderly: 24.7% vs. 19.3%, p=0.479). There were no significant differences in disease-free survival (DFS) (5-year DFS: 96.3% vs. 86.9%, p=0.079) and overall survival (OS) (5-year OS: 92.9% vs. 78.1%, p=0.106) between the two groups. Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer is as safe and effective for elderly patients as for younger patients.