Introduction: This study evaluated the feasibility of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) in elderly patients with gastric cancer.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 138 patients who underwent TLDG from April 2005 to March 2009. Of these 138 patients, 20 were older than 75 years of age, and 118 were 75 years of age or younger.
Results: The preoperative respiratory function and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) -physical status were significantly worse in the elderly patients than in the younger patients (P = 0.013). Hypertension and respiratory disease were more common in the elderly patients than in the younger patients (P = 0.032 / P = 0.005). The findings for the following parameters were similar in the two groups: intraoperative blood loss, operation time, severe postoperative complication rate, time required to start a solid diet, and duration of postoperative hospital stay. The rate of major complications was not different between the two groups, although minor complications were more commonly observed in the elderly patients.
Conclusion: TLDG was found to be a safe procedure for elderly patients. This method can be used as one of the standard treatments for gastric cancer in elderly patients.