[Occlusions by colonic cancers: emergency treatment (62 cases)]

Sixty two patients (38 men, 24 women) were operated in emergency for colic occlusion from neoplasia. The mean age was 69.6 (+/- 12.71). Fourty four (70%) had an history of cardiovascular disease. Tumor resection has been possible in 95% of cases. The mortality was 24.19% in the first two months postoperatively and 11% between the second and the fourth month. The morbidity was 32.2% and the mean length of stay in hospital was 22 days (+/- 16.6). The morbidity was less in case of right hemicolectomy (17.3 days) than for left colic resections (26 days). The postoperative mortality was not correlated to age but to lost of weight more than 10 kg (p < 0.0001) and to a mean central preoperative temperature more than 37.5 degrees C (p < 0.002). Reducing the number of surgical procedures is beneficial in patients older than 70 years.