OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical safety and efficacy of laparoscopic versus open colorectal resection in octogenarians. Methods Studies comparing laparoscopic colorectal resection with open colorectal resection in octogenarians were identified from the Medline, Embase, Ovid, and Cochrane databases from 1990 to 2012. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed to determine studies suitable for inclusion. Meta-analysis was performed by fixed or random effects model.

RESULTSFive observational studies with a total of 685 patients (330 laparoscopic colorectal resections and 355 open colorectal resections) were identified. Laparoscopic colorectal resection was associated with a prolonged operative time (WMD=27.89, P<0.01) and a lower rate of overall complications (OR=0.58, P<0.01), wound infection (OR=0.50, P<0.05), cardiovascular complication(OR=0.53, P<0.05), quicker bowel function return (WMD=-0.83, P<0.01), and shorter length of hospital stay (WMD=-3.60, P<0.05). No differences were found with regard to anastomotic leak (OR=1.13, P>0.05), prolonged ileus (OR=0.71, P>0.05), respiratory complication (OR=0.59, P>0.05),mortality (OR=0.67, P>0.05), and reoperation (OR=0.85, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic colorectal resection is as safe as open colorectal resection, and is more favorable in terms of length of hospital stay and bowel function return in octogenarians.