ABSTRACT
The elderly are increasingly fit and healthy. The aging population in the western world will determine trends in health care in the following decades [1]. Currently, 40% of all surgical activities are targeted toward treating patients above 65 years of age [2]. Lifestyle issues and quality of life are thus important considerations when decisions are made regarding management of medical problems in this population. The goal in the treatment of elderly is to restore them to the best possible quality of life. Elderly patients represent a unique surgical challenge because of the associated complex comorbidity and diminished cardiopulmonary reserve. Since laparotomy is a major stress in the elderly, laparoscopic surgery may be particularly advantageous in this population. Therefore minimally invasive surgery in the elderly may have larger impact than in the younger population in terms of less postoperative pain, fewer cardiorespiratory complications, shortened hospital stay, and rapid return to physical activities [3-8].
