Purpose: The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in elderly patients is a matter of concern because morbidity and clinical risk are higher in elderly patients; and some clinicians recommend non-surgical supportive treatments. There is limited data reported in the literature for LC in super-elderly individuals (aged ≥ 80 years). This study compared the clinical outcome for the elderly and super-elderly patients undergoing LC. Methods: Patients who had a cholecystectomy for acute or chronic cholecystitis, and empyema of the gall bladder between January 2011 and June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical outcomes of the super-elderly patients (≥ 80 years, Group 2) were compared with elderly patients (65-79 years, Group 1). Complications, conversion rate, postoperative hospital stays were assessed. Results: The conversion rate was 5.5% and 8.4% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.749). The surgical or medical complication rates were similar in both groups. A significant difference in operation time was observed between groups (p < 0.001). Although the super-elderly patients had longer postoperative hospital stays (7.10 ± 6.98) than the elderly patients (4.60 ± 6.06), there was no significant difference with between the 2 groups (p = 1.000). Conclusion The clinical outcomes of the conversion rate, complications, and mortality were similar in patients aged 65 to 79 years and ≥ 80 years. Therefore, LC is deemed to be a safe and simple procedure for the super-elderly.

Purpose: The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in elderly patients is a matter of concern because morbidity and clinical risk are higher in elderly patients; and some clinicians recommend non-surgical supportive treatments. There is limited data reported in the literature for LC in super-elderly individuals (aged ≥ 80 years). This study compared the clinical outcome for the elderly and super-elderly patients undergoing LC. Methods: Patients who had a cholecystectomy for acute or chronic cholecystitis, and empyema of the gall bladder between January 2011 and June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical outcomes of the super-elderly patients (≥ 80 years, Group 2) were compared with elderly patients (65-79 years, Group 1). Complications, conversion rate, postoperative hospital stays were assessed. Results: The conversion rate was 5.5% and 8.4% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.749). The surgical or medical complication rates were similar in both groups. A significant difference in operation time was observed between groups (p < 0.001). Although the super-elderly patients had longer postoperative hospital stays (7.10 ± 6.98) than the elderly patients (4.60 ± 6.06), there was no significant difference with between the 2 groups (p = 1.000). Conclusion The clinical outcomes of the conversion rate, complications, and mortality were similar in patients aged 65 to 79 years and ≥ 80 years. Therefore, LC is deemed to be a safe and simple procedure for the super-elderly.

The importance of opiate dependence or abuse is increasing in the context of the increasing number of cancer survivors and patients with chronic cancer pain. Cancer patients are likely to have psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. It is important to distinguish these psychological disorders from opiate dependence or abuse. We report a case of a cancer patient with major depressive disorder who was initially suspected of opiate dependence or abuse.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Humans ; Opioid-Related Disorders ; Survivors