Resection and anastomosis of obstructed left colonic cancer: primary or staged?

A retrospective analysis of the treatment of 70 patients with obstructed left colonic cancer was undertaken in order to assess whether staged or primary resection was more appropriate. Thirty-four patients had initial colostomy and staged resection (group 1) while 36 patients were treated by primary resection and immediate anastomosis following intra-operative bowel washout (group 2). There were seven deaths (10%), five in group 1 and two in group 2. The wound infection rate and average hospital stay were 44% and 36 days in group 1 and 19.4% and 16.5 days in group 2, respectively. Twenty per cent of patients in group 1 did not complete their staged procedures and had to live with their colostomies. The smoother postoperative recovery and shorter hospital stay was particularly significant in group 2 patients. As primary resection and anastomosis can now be performed with relative safety and reduced morbidity, we conclude that staged procedures can no longer be accepted as standard treatment for left colonic obstruction.