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Background and aim The application of laparoscopy in elderly patients with gastric cancer is controversial, especially in Western population. The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of a laparoscopic approach and compare short-term outcomes with results obtained using traditional open surgery. Methods Data concerning 52 elderly patients (≥70 years), who underwent distal gastrectomy at our institution from January 2017 to August 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. We divided the population into two cohorts according to the surgical technique (laparoscopic or open surgery) and we compared the short-term outcomes. The open and laparoscopic cohorts were compared in terms of demographics, ASA score, pTNM stage, the pathological pattern according to Lauren classification, time of surgery, selected type of gastrointestinal reconstruction, the extension of lymphadenectomy and number of lymph nodes resected, postoperative complications classified according to modified Clavien-Dindo system, length of stay (LOS), postoperative mortality within 30 days. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for length of stay, including age, sex, duration of surgery, BMI, technique, tumor localization, grading, reconstruction, ASA, Lauren stage, extension of lymphadenectomy, TNM stage, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy as variables. Results Demographics, pathological characteristics and surgical outcomes were comparable in both cohorts, except for the length of hospital stay (LOS) that was significative longer in the open cohort (12,31 vs 8,42 P  = 0.02). Number of harvested lymph nodes and complete resection (R0) rate were similar, leading to comparable oncological results. Based on the univariate analysis, in addition to the approach, ASA score was another factor significantly associated to LOS (ASA 2 8,4 ± 2,1 days vs ASA 3 13,5 ± 7,8 days). A multiple regression was run to predict LOS from ASA and surgical approach. The multiple regression model statistically significantly predicted LOS, F(3,44) = 6,906, P  < 0,002. The surgical approach showed a certain trend to significance in predicting LOS, P  = 0,09. Conclusion Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is effective and safe in elderly patients with similar short-term outcomes compared to open distal gastrectomy. The main advantage of laparoscopic technique is a shorter length of hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]