[Perioperative morbidity and mortality of colon resection in colonic carcinoma]

An analysis of the local and systemic perioperative complications is conducted to explore the risk of resection of colon cancer. In a retrospective study we analyzed 231 consecutive patients operated on between 1984 and 1988. The mean age was 70 (37-91) years. The operations consisted in 3 ileocecal resections, 144 right hemicolectomies, 10 resections of the transverse colon, 22 left hemicolectomies, 77 resections of the sigmoid colon and 5 subtotal colonic resections. 2 patients (0.9%) had a clinical leakage of the anastomosis. 3 patients were reoperated: one because of anastomotic leakage and two because of ileus due to small bowel adhesions. 2 patients with uncomplicated local healing died within 30 days after the operation from systemic complications (mortality 0.9%). It is concluded that with standardized preoperative bowel preparation, prophylactic perioperative antibiotics and modern anesthesia, the resection of colon cancer is today possible with minimal perioperative risk.