Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: just an option or the new gold standard for elderly patients?

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The application of laparoscopy in elderly patients with gastric cancer is controversial, especially in the Western population. The study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a laparoscopic approach and compare short-term outcomes with results obtained using traditional open surgery.Methods Data concerning elderly patients (≥70 years), who underwent distal gastrectomy at our institution from January 2017 to August 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. We divided the population into two cohorts according to the surgical technique (laparoscopic or open surgery) and compared the short-term outcomes.Results Demographics, pathological characteristics, and surgical outcomes were comparable in both cohorts, except for the length of hospital stay (LOS). The number of harvested lymph nodes and complete resection (R0) rate were similar, leading to comparable oncological outcomes. Conclusion Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is effective and safe in elderly patients with similar short-term outcomes compared to open distal gastrectomy. The main advantage of the laparoscopic technique is a shorter length of hospital stay.