Management options in malignant obstruction of the left colon

Three of every 20 patients with carcinoma of the colon present with obstruction. The prognosis in the patient with malignant left colon obstruction is worse than for those with nonobstructing lesions, without adding the burden of a colostomy. Whenever feasible, acute obstruction should be treated by definitive resection with primary anastomosis and staged procedures reserved for only a few. How the former is achieved is open to debate. Whether or not the removal of all fecal matter from the colon is necessary before anastomosis is questionable and needs further appraisal. The risk of a metachronous lesion developing is highest in young patients with polyps or a previously resected carcinoma. The high risk patients would be best served by a subtotal colectomy. The choice of procedure must be tailored to each patient and the final decision made at the time of operation. An experienced colonic surgeon is needed to judge which option is most appropriate.