Emergency colorectal resections in Asian octogenarians: factors impacting surgical outcome

The population in developing countries is aging and the number of octogenarians is expected to increase in the future at an alarmingly fast rate. This paper evaluates the surgical outcomes of emergency colorectal resections among Asian octogenarians.

We conducted a retrospective review of all octogenarians and older, who had an emergency colorectal resection performed between February 1996 to December 2001.

Fifty-eight emergency colorectal resections were performed in patients with a median age of 83 years. The indications for surgery were colorectal cancer (74%) and complicated diverticular disease (12%). The most common presentation was an intestinal obstruction (72%). Fifty-one (88%) of the patients had comorbidities. Forty-five percent of patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of I and II, while 55% had a score of III and IV. Consultants performed 53% of the procedures. The mean surgical time was 156 min. Hartmann's procedure was the most common procedure performed (43%). There were 16 (28%) mortalities. The postoperative morbidity was 81%. The only factor impacting outcome was a high ASA score of III and IV. The median length of stay was 17.5 (range 3-108) days.

The mortality and morbidity of emergency colorectal resections among Asian octogenarians are high and can be predicted by their ASA status.