Results of surgical treatment of colorectal cancer in nonagenarian patients

Abstract

PurposeThe objective of the present study was to compare the results of surgical treatment of nonagenarian patients having colorectal cancer with patients younger than 90 years. MethodsA total of 622 patients who underwent curative surgery were included in the present study. The database of the surgical service, in the period from 2007 to 2013, was used to obtain the sample. This is a descriptive, retrospective study that compared the profiles of 17 nonagenarian patients (Group I) with 605 patients younger than 90 years (Group II). The groups were compared regarding surgical complications, length of hospital stay, type of surgery performed and ASA classification. ResultsThe mean age between the groups was 92.2 years and 61.2 years. The mean length of hospital stay in Groups I and II was 17.3 days and 8.75 days, respectively. The surgery performed most frequently was the right colectomy, in both groups. The most common postoperative complication was sepsis (11.8%) among the nonagenarians, and paralytic ileus (4.5%) among those younger than 90 years. Laparoscopic surgery was performed on 5 out of a total of 17 patients evaluated in Group I. Among the three mortalities registered in this latter group, two were classified as ASA III and only one as ASA I. ConclusionThe results indicate that colorectal surgery may be performed in this group, with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates, in patients with low preoperative risk (ASA I/II).