title: [Analysis of the quality of surgical treatment of colorectal cancer, in 2008. A national study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A national study conducted for the Spanish Association of Surgeons with the aim of analysing the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Spain and to compare it with scientific literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicentre, descriptive, prospective and longitudinal study of patients with CRC who were treated by elective surgery. A total of 50 hospitals in 15 Autonomous Regions took part, with 496 treated cases in 2008. A total of 88 variables were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 72 years, increase in ASA III patients; correct preoperative studies, 4% with no staging in the rectum. There was a tendency not to use the colon cleansing or to do it only one day. The percentage of complications is within the ranges in the literature, with the exception of surgical wound infections (19%). Mean of resected lymph nodes: 13.2; 4.3% no mesorectal resection. Mechanical anastomosis: 80.8%, 65.9% of the operations performed by a colorectal surgeon. Preoperative radiotherapy in 43.5% of rectal cancers. Chemotherapy: 32.9%. Laparoscopy: 35.1% of cases, conversion rate 13.8%. Use of antibiotics: 37.1%, blood transfusion: 20.6% and parenteral nutrition: 26.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical treatment of CRC in Spain has a level of quality and peri-operative results similar to the rest of Europe. Compared to previous studies, it was observed that there were advances in preparation of the patient, preoperative studies, imaging techniques, and improvements in surgical techniques with adoption of mesorectal excision, appropriate lymphadenectomies and preservation of sphincters. There are areas for improvement, such as a reduction in surgical wound infections, increase use of protective stoma, appropriate use of antibiotics, parenteral nutrition or neoadjuvants and complete colonoscopies.
authors.affiliation: Hospital del Tajo, Aranjuez, Madrid, España. elias.rodriguez@gmail.com
authors.forename: Elías
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Cuellar
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruiz López
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romero Simó
authors.forename: Jose Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Landa García
authors.forename: José Vicente
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Roig Vila
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ortiz Hurtado
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003082:Colectomy / Q000592:standards*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013030:Spain