How aging may impact the failure to rescue after colorectal laparoscopic surgery. Analysis of 1000 patients in a single high-volume center

This study aimed to evaluate the FTR after laparoscopic colorectal surgery in an Italian high-volume centre. A retrospective analysis was conducted in a consecutive series of patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery for neoplastic disease between January 2010 and December 2023 at the General Surgery Department of the San Eugenio Hospital, Rome, Italy. Patients were grouped by age in adult (vs. < 75 years) and elderly group (≥ 75 years). A multivariate analysis of the predictive factors of complications was performed. A total of 1,000 patients met the inclusion criteria, excluding those who underwent open or robotic surgery, either in emergency or elective settings. 53 patients (5.3%) experienced major complications. The mean age of patients with no or mild complications was 65.60 years (± 10.61), whereas patients with severe complications were older (69.94 years ± 12.02, p = 0.0041). Gender distribution and BMI do not represent a risk factor for major complications (p = 0.2555 and p = 0.2686, respectively), unlike the ASA score III or IV (p = 0.0001). The overall FTR rate for adult patients is 9%, while it is slightly higher at 10% for elderly patients. No statistical differences were found between the 2 groups. Elderly patients had more frequent FTR due to infective complications, while the FTR rate for cardiovascular disease was more frequent in the adult group. Minimally invasive approach, skilled team, well-established rapid response and standardized complication management protocols can positively impact FTR regardless of patients' age.