[Subtotal colectomy: 20 years' experience]

Results of surgical treatment of 338 patients (1984-2002) with complicated cancer of the left half of the colon were analyzed retrospectively. Patients who had undergone Hartman's surgery and subtotal colonectomy were comparable by age, time of hospitalization, stage of cancer and concomitant diseases. Immediate results of treatment (postoperative complications, postoperative stay, postoperative lethality) don't differ significantly. Long-term results demonstrate important difference in survival. Mean survival of patients after Hartman's surgery was 3 years 6 months, after subtotal colonectomy - 9 years 6 months. It is concluded that subtotal colonectomy is the surgery of choice in the treatment of patients with complicated cancer of colon's left half.