Objective To compare the therapeutic effect and complications of laparoscopic radical gastrectomy and those of traditional open surgery in the elderly patients with gastric cancer.Method A retrospective comparison of therapeutic efficacy and complications between the elderly patients with gastric cancer(defined as those aged 70 years or older)who received laparoscopic gastrectomy and those underwent gastrectomy by open surgery.A total of 108 patients who either underwent the laparoscopic surgery(n=54)or traditional open surgery(n=54)at the Lanzhou General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Regionbetween June 2008 and March 2009 were analyzed.Results Compared to traditional open surgery,laparoscopic radical gastrectomy showed several advantages such as less intraoperative blood loss,being less invasive,shorter bedbound time,less intubation time,low frequency of fever,less time to normal diet,shorter hospital stay,and a low overall incidence of complications.No significant difference was found between laparoscopic surgery and open surgery in terms of operation time and the number of lymph nodes dissected.The 3-year cancer recurrence and mortality rates were similar in both groups.Conclusion Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy is a safe and effective procedure for the management of gastric cancer in the elderly,and was found to be superior to traditional open surgery in short-term curative effect.It therefore represents a feasible and safe surgical approach for the elderly patients with gastric cancer.