LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY IN THE ELDERLY

Patients over the age of 65, undergoing either laparoscopic cholecyste ctomy or laparoscopic groin hernia repair in two centres, were retrosp ectively reviewed. 114 patients (median age 73) case-notes were review ed. 94 patients had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 20 lapa roscopic hernia repair. 81% were American society of Anaesthesiologist s (ASA) Grade I or II, with 17% Grade III and 2% Grade IV. 8% of the l aparoscopic cholecystectomy patients had unsuspected common bile duct stones detected on cholangiography. There was a 5% conversion to open procedure in the cholecystectomy group and 0% in the hernia group. Med ian hospital stay was 2 days. Mortality was 0% in both groups. Major p ost-operative morbidity occurred in 4% of the laparoscopic cholecystec tomy patients, delaying their discharge. We conclude that laparoscopic surgery is a safe procedure in the elderly patient when accompanied b y good patient selection and anaesthetic care.