Is laparoscopic surgery really effective for the treatment of colon and rectal cancer in very elderly over 80 years old? A prospective multicentric case–control assessment

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery (LCS) for colon and rectal cancer in the very elderly over 80 years old. Methods: We performed a prospective multicentric analysis comparing patients over 80 years (Group A) and patients between 60 and 69 years (Group B) undergoing LCS for cancer from January 2008 to December 2013. Colon and rectal cancers were analyzed separately. Comorbidity and complications were classified using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and the Clavien–Dindo system, respectively. Oncological parameters included tumor-free margins, number of lymph nodes harvested and circumferential resection margin. Results: Group A included 96 and 33 patients, and Group B 220 and 82 for colon and rectal cancers, respectively. Groups were similar except for ASA score and CCI, as expected. There was no significant difference in operative time [colon; rectum] (180[IQR 150–200] vs 180[150–210] min; NS—180[160–210] vs 180[165–240] min; NS), estimated blood loss (50[25–75] vs 50[25–120] mL; NS—50[0–150] vs 50[25–108.7] mL; NS) and conversion rate (2.1 vs 2.7 %; NS—3.0 vs 2.4 %; NS). Timing of first stool (3[2–3.25] vs 3[2–5] dd; NS—3[2–4] vs 3[2–5] dd; NS), length of stay (7[6–8] vs 7[6–8] dd; NS—8[8–9] vs 8[7–9] dd; NS) and readmission rate (1.0 vs 0.45 %; NS—6.1 vs 1.2 %; NS) were similar. Tumor-free margins were appropriate, and positivity of CRM is poor (6.1 vs 4.9; NS). We did not record significant differences in complications rate (47.9 vs 43.6 %; NS—63.6 vs 52.4 %; NS). Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery is effective for the treatment of colorectal cancer even in the very elderly. Age is not a risk factor or a limitation for LCS.