DOMINGUEZ, Luis Carlos; HERRERA, Wilmar Eduardo; RIVERA, Aura María    BERMUDEZ, Charles E. Emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly. []. , 26, 2, pp.93-100. ISSN 2011-7582.

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in the elderly is increasing worldwide. Most trials report different results; however, their performance in Colombia is unknown. This study evaluates their results conducting a discriminative analysis in different aging populations. Methods: Prospective analysis of patients >65 years old with acute cholecystitis submitted to urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a fourth level, teaching and referral center in Bogotá, Colombia. We performed a univariate analysis of demographic, clinical, biochemical and imaging characteristics to identify significant variables in the elderly, in comparison with general population. Then we compared two different elderly populations (65-74years and >75years). We identified morbidity, mortality, conversions and LOS for every group. A p<0.05 was statistically significant. Results: 703 patients were included. 18.3% were elderly. Hypertension (p<0.001), diabetes (p<0.001), cholangitis (p<0.001), choledocholithiasis (p<0.007), ASA III-IV (p<0.001) were significant factors for elderly. Reoperations [elderly:4.3%; general population:1.2% (p<0.001)], conversions [elderly:32.6%; general population:9.2% (p<0.001)] and bleeding [elderly:2.1%; general population:0.3%](p<0.01) were significant factors for elderly. Diabetes and conversions were identified as significant factors for patients >75 years compared with patients between 65-74 years. Biliary tract injury, surgical site infection and mortality did not show statistical significance. LOS was 4.5 days for elderly against 1.8 days in the general population (p<0.001). Conclusions: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a valuable procedure for elderly patients with acute cholecystitis and could be recommended despite their epidemiologic profile. Precautions should be taken into account because bleeding, reoperation and conversion are slightly higher in these patients.

: cholecystectomy; laparoscopic; aged; morbidity; mortality; length of stay.

        · |     · |     · ( pdf )