Emergency colorectal resections in Asian octogenarians: factors impacting surgical outcome.
OBJECTIVE
The population in developing countries is aging and the number of octogenarians is expected to increase in the future at an alarmingly fast rate. This paper evaluates the surgical outcomes of emergency colorectal resections among Asian octogenarians.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of all octogenarians and older, who had an emergency colorectal resection performed between February 1996 to December 2001.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight emergency colorectal resections were performed in patients with a median age of 83 years. The indications for surgery were colorectal cancer (74%) and complicated diverticular disease (12%). The most common presentation was an intestinal obstruction (72%). Fifty-one (88%) of the patients had comorbidities. Forty-five percent of patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of I and II, while 55% had a score of III and IV. Consultants performed 53% of the procedures. The mean surgical time was 156 min. Hartmann's procedure was the most common procedure performed (43%). There were 16 (28%) mortalities. The postoperative morbidity was 81%. The only factor impacting outcome was a high ASA score of III and IV. The median length of stay was 17.5 (range 3-108) days.


CONCLUSIONS
The mortality and morbidity of emergency colorectal resections among Asian octogenarians are high and can be predicted by their ASA status.
Leong
Quor Meng
QM
Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore.
Aung
Myint Oo
MO
Ho
Choon Kiat
CK
Sim
Richard
R
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D003082:Colectomy / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome