Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of tumor resection and stage-I anastomosis for colon cancer complicated with acute obstruction.
Methods: Seventeen colon cancer patients complicated with acute obstruction admitted from 1994-1998 into our hospital, together with 1,872 cases collected from 40 reports published in the same interval in China, a total of 1,889 cases were analyzed as to the results of their surgical management.
Results: In the whole group, there was an incidence of 3.1% anastomotic leak, 6.6% wound infection and 1.1% pulmonary infection. Ninety-three patients died of operation with an operation mortality of 4.9%. Postoperative 5-year survival rate was 26.0%-48.0% in patients with stage-I operation. It was 20.0%-38.0% in staged operation.
Conclusion: Tumor resection with stage-I anastomosis for colon cancer complicated with acute obstruction is acceptable giving relatively satisfactory results. Technique, bowel cleansing during the operation, rational use of antibiotics and adherence to proper indications are crucial for stage-I operation.