Single‐port laparoscopic colectomy in elderly patients with colon cancer: A propensity score‐matched comparison with younger patients

Introduction This study aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of single‐port laparoscopic colectomy (SPLC) in elderly patients with colon cancer. Methods During the study period, 344 patients underwent SPLC in our hospital. Among them, 87 patients were aged 80 years and older, and 257 patients were younger than 80 years. After 1:1 propensity‐score matching, 87 elderly patients were compared with 87 young patients. Results Short‐term clinical outcomes after SPLC were equivalent between the two groups, although the elderly group had a higher ASA score and more postoperative complications. The 5‐year overall survival rates were 64.6% in the elderly group and 66.8% in control group. The 5‐year cancer‐specific survival rates were 78.0% in the elderly group and 70.9% in control group. There were no significant differences between the groups. Conclusion Our results indicated that SPLC is technically feasible for operative teams that have adequately standardized the procedure, and it is oncologically safe in elderly patients with colon cancer.