[Intestinal obstruction in colorectal neoplasms. Our experience with 50 cases]

From January 1985 to December 1989 in our Department 178 patients were operated for colorectal carcinomas. Fifty (28%) underwent emergency procedure for intestinal obstruction. The male-female ratio is about 1. The mean age is 79.6 (range 40-91), but 76% of patients is 60-85 years old. The rectum-sigmoid junction was the most affected (30%), followed by the rectum (18%) and the sigma (16%). Thirty-five (70%) patients underwent intestinal resection. The early postoperative death rate is 18% (9 cases). All the patients operated upon had Dukes stage B-C neoplasms.