[Prognostic significance of postoperative septic complications in surgery of rectal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether there is a correlation between the onset of postoperative sepsis and the 5-years survival rate in patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer.


METHODS
A retrospective study of all patients, undergoing rectal cancer surgery during the period January 1981-December 1987.


METHODS
General Surgery Unit, Hospital Arnau de Vilanova.


METHODS
All patients operated with Duke's stage B and C colorectal neoplasms, excluding cases with postoperative complications not directly correlated to surgery: pneumonia, thromboblebitis, urinary infection or fever of unknown origin.


RESULTS
Postsurgical complications distinguished as minor (wall abscess) or major (anastomotic dehiscence, peritoneal abscess). 5-year survival rate.


RESULTS
The actuarial 5-year survival rate of patients with major septic complications was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in noncomplicated cases. No difference was observed in the survival of patients with and without minor septic complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Major septic complications secondary to colorectal surgery are still a threat in spite of improved techniques and antibiotic prophylaxis, and negatively influence the long-term survival rate.
Pérez Ruiz
L
L
Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Departamento Medicina y Cirugía, Lleida, España.
Luca
F
F
Gómez
L
L
Viñas
J
J
Torres
S
S
Andreoni
B
B
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality*; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000401:mortality*; D015996:Survival Rate