OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application of laparoscopy in gastrointestinal abdominal emergency operation for patients over 65 years old.

METHODSClinical data of 138 cases (age>65 years) with acute abdomen undergoing laparoscopic surgery from January 2006 to June 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. Data of 170 cases treated by laparotomy during the same period were enrolled as controls.

RESULTSThe laparoscopy group and the laparotomy group showed statistically significant differences in blood loss [(107.1±47.7) ml vs. (163.6±106.5) ml, P=0.000], postoperative complications rate [2.9%(4/138) vs. 12.9%(22/170), P=0.022], hospital stay [(10.5±7.5) d vs. (16.5±9.9) d, P=0.044], postoperative ambulation time [(25.6±7.7) h vs. (33.2±5.6) h, P=0.020], and recovery time of postoperative gastrointestinal function [(36.9±9.1) h vs. (49.3±10.6) h, P=0.031]. Patients with acute appendicitis, upper digestive tract perforation and bowel obstruction in the laparoscopy group were superior to those in the laparotomy group in hospital stay, postoperative ambulation time, recovery time of postoperative gastrointestinal function and intraoperative blood loss(all P<0.01), while no significant differences in colon perforation and mesentery diseases were found in hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss and recovery time of postoperative gastrointestinal function between the two groups (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCompared with laparotomy, the laparoscopy offers the advantages of less trauma, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, and lower postoperative complications rate for patients over 65 years with acute abdomen.