To explore the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients over 70 years old.

Clinical data of 56 elderly patients with gastric cancer admitted from March 2013 to March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed, 56 patients were divided into laparoscopic group (28 cases) and Laparotomy group (28 cases) respectively. Traditional open surgery were performed in Laparotomy group, while laparoscope were applied in Laparoscopic group. Statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS18.0 software. Intraoperative and postoperative clinical indicators were presented as mean±standard deviation, and were examined by using t test. The postoperative complication rate were expressed as %, and were compared with χ² test. P<0.05 was thought to be statistically significant.

Compared with Laparotomy group, there were less intraoperative blood loss, earlier postoperative exhaust time and shorter postoperative hospitalization time in laparoscopic group, with significant difference (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between 2 groups in terms of operation time, number of harvested lymph nodes, distal and proximal dissection margin distance (P>0.05). There were 6 cases of complications (21.4%) in laparoscopic surgery, and 10 cases (35.7%) in laparotomy group, with no significant difference (P>0.05). However, the incision infection rate in the laparoscopic group was 3.6% (1/28), which was significantly lower than 14.3% (4/28) in laparotomy group (P<0.05).

Clinical outcome of laparoscopic gastrectomy for elderly patients with gastric cancer is satisfactory, with decreasing infection rate. which is safe and feasible, and worthy of clinical promotion.