Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision with D3 lymph node dissection for right colon cancer in elderly patients

Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with D3 lymph node dissection is considered an oncological surgery for right colon cancer. However, there is still controversy for extensive oncological surgery in elderly patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic CME with D3 lymph node dissection for right colon cancer in elderly patients. Patients who underwent laparoscopic right colectomy, from 2004 to 2014, were divided into Groups A (age ≥ 70 years, n = 80) or B (age < 70 years, n = 127). Short and long-term outcomes were analysed. Basic demographics and short-term surgical outcomes were similar between groups. Among pathological outcomes, the mean number of harvested lymph nodes was significantly less in Group A. Adjuvant chemotherapy refusal rate was significantly higher in Group A. Overall and recurrence-free survival were similar between groups. We found laparoscopic CME with D3 lymph node dissection is a safe and feasible surgical option for right colon cancer in elderly patients.