Role of mini-invasive technologies in the treatment of colon cancer in the aged patient population

Aim – to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical treatment for colorectal cancer in patients aged 75–90 years (WHO, 2002) in the early postoperative period after laparoscopic and open surgeries. The primary outcome was the total length of hospital stay (bed-days). Secondary outcomes included intraoperative blood loss, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, postoperative pain (VAS), and the incidence of general and surgical complications. Material and methods. The study included colorectal cancer (CRC) patients (75–90 years old) who underwent laparoscopic (LS) or laparotomic (LT) surgery. A comparative analysis of demographic, clinical-laboratory, and surgical data was performed. Results. The LS group demonstrated a shorter hospital stay (10 (3) vs. 10 (7) days, p≤0.001) and lower intraoperative blood loss (50 (20) vs. 150 (150) ml, p≤0.001) compared to the LT group. The LT group had significantly higher CRP levels on days 3 and 5 (p≤0.001) and a higher incidence of complications (pneumonia, anemia, acute urinary retention), 18 (33.9%) vs. 6 (7.2%), p≤0.001. Operative time (p=0.002) and postoperative complications significantly influenced hospital stay duration. Conclusion. Laparoscopic surgery results in a shorter hospital stay, reduced intraoperative blood loss, lower inflammatory response, and decreased postoperative pain and complication rates. These advantages make it the preferred method for treating elderly patients with colorectal cancer, especially in the presence of comorbidities.