Subtotal colectomy with primary ileocolonic anastomosis for obstructing carcinoma of the left colon: valid option for elderly high risk patients.

During a period of 4 years, 20 patients with obstructing carcinoma of the left colon were treated by subtotal colectomy with primary ileocolonic anastomosis. Thirteen patients (65%) were 65 years of age or older. All patients presented to the emergency room with large bowel obstruction. Twelve patients (age > 65) suffered other systemic diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, morbid obesity), placing them in a high risk category. The mortality rate was 5% (1/20), 7.6% if only high risk patients are considered. The one-stage procedure in the treatment of obstructing carcinoma of the left colon offers the patient a number of advantages over stage intervention elimination of colostomy, namely removal of occult lesions in the resected colon, shorter hospitalization and low morbidity and mortality. We found this procedure to be a valid option also in the elderly (> 65) high risk patient. Metastatic disease in our view is not a contraindication, since the elimination of colostomy will improve the quality of life of these patients.