Surgical experience of colon resection in the extreme elderly

A retrospective review was undertaken at Mount Sinai Medical Center of Miami Beach for patients aged 70 and greater undergoing colon resection between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 1983. These resections were performed for carcinoma 67.3 per cent, diverticular disease 10.9 per cent, and other indications 21.8 per cent. The operations were performed by different surgeons with a wide spectrum of procedures and associated simultaneous procedures. The morbidity and mortality were reviewed. Complications occurred in 27.7 per cent (38 complications in 28 patients). The complication rate was highest in those with diverticular disease. The overall mortality rate was 4.95 per cent with a zero mortality in patients undergoing elective colon resections. It would appear that with careful monitoring and avoidance of emergency surgery, colon resection can be safely undertaken in this elderly portion of the population.