Does laparoscopic colorectal resection improve short-term postoperative outcomes compared to open surgery in elderly patients?
Laparoscopic colorectal resection provides pronounced short-term postoperative benefits in elderly patients, mitigating the age-related risks seen with open surgery.
Laparoscopy improved short-term postoperative outcome more in elderly than in younger patients. Advanced age was associated with higher morbidity and longer length of stay only in patients who underwent open colorectal surgery.
Frasson et al. (2008) studied this question.