Laparotomy for acute colorectal conditions in moribund patients: is it worthwhile?

Colorectal surgeons are sometimes asked to operate on moribund patients, classified by the American Society of Anesthesiology as Class 5--patients who are likely to die with or without surgery. There is a concern that surgery may precipitate the patient's demise; however, there are few data concerning outcomes in this group. It is, therefore, difficult to counsel patients and their families about the advisability of surgery. This study was performed to show what sort of results can be expected from operating on American Society of Anesthesiology Class 5 patients and to see whether there are any factors that can be used to predict outcome within this American Society of Anesthesiology class.

Since March 1989, a prospective database of all surgeries has been maintained. Included in the data is the American Society of Anesthesiology Classification. All patients classified as 5 were identified and their history reviewed. The 30-day postoperative survival was the primary end point of the study. Also abstracted were data on comorbidity, indication for colorectal surgery, surgery performed, length of postoperative hospital stay, estimated intraoperative blood loss, and duration of anesthesia.

There were 4,163 surgeries recorded, including 2,040 (49 percent) laparotomies. There were 21 laparotomies in American Society of Anesthesiology Class 5 patients (1 percent of all laparotomies). Eighteen surgeries were performed as emergencies, and three were urgent. Nine patients survived 30 days or longer (41 percent), whereas 12 did not. Seven patients lived to be discharged from the hospital.

Expeditious, safe surgery may save moribund patients with an acute colorectal problem.