[Surgical management of obstructed colonic cancer]

Management of obstructed colonic carcinomas is a surgical challenge because it happens more often in elderly patients. The aim of our study is to assess mortality and morbidity rates of procedures performed in emergency for this pathology.

Between January 1st, 1998 and December 31st 2003, 22 patients underwent an emergency procedure for obstructive colonic obstruction due to an adenocarcinoma. Obstruction was defined as an emesis, distension on examination, no gas or stool since 24 hours and confirmatory plain radiograph film.

Twenty patients (91%) underwent surgical procedure and two others received a colonic stent. Eleven patients (50%) underwent left colonic resection and intraoperative colonic cleansing was undertaken in 3 of these patients. One patient underwent a lateral colostomy, three patients (14%) underwent a right colectomy. A Hartmann's procedure was performed in six cases (27%). Morbidity occurred in 23% (50% were from anastomotic complication). Mortality rate was 27% (44% if aged more than 75 years old) (one superior mesenteric ischemia, and five heart and respiratory failures). Two-year survival rate was 61% and five year survival rate was 47%. Median survival was 24 months.

Our study confirms that obstructed colonic cancer has a bad prognosis because it happens in elderly and not healthy patients. Priority must be given to the restoration of colonic permeability.