Colonic surgery in gynecologic oncology. Risk factor analysis

Colonic surgery is a critical part of gynecologic oncology care. A 12-year review of colonic surgery on a gynecologic oncology service was performed evaluating risk factors and their impact on postoperative morbidity. There were 124 procedures performed on 92 patients; 9 patients had no prior surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Fifty-six percent of the patients were considered malnourished on the basis of a serum albumin level < 3.5 g/dL. The 124 procedures consisted of 57 colon resections with primary reanastomosis, 10 small bowel-colon bypass procedures and 57 colostomies. Of the 57 (67%) colostomy operations, 38 also had concomitant abdominal-pelvic procedures. There were 15 major bowel complications and 17 major systemic postoperative complications. Prior surgery and poor nutritional status significantly correlated with postoperative morbidity; however, prior radiation did not reveal an increased risk for postoperative complications.