[Operative policy in colonic obstruction of neoplastic origin (author's transl)]

From 1958 to 1977 a total of 390 patients underwent surgery for colonic obstruction of neoplastic origin. The series includes 218 women and 172 men, average age 64 years. 135 patients (35%) came to death. The incidence of left colon carcinoma considerably exceeds the carcinoma of the right side (73 or 27% accordingly). The operative methods used are grouped under three headings: primary resection (200 cases = 51%; mortality rate 31%), staged resection (52 cases = 13%, mortality rate 33%), palliative interventions (138 cases = 36%; mortality rate 40%). The results of this study suggest to restrict the range of indications for primary resection in case of deterioration of the general condition and of ileus-peritonitis.