Two-stage resection for malignant colonic obstructions:The timing of early resection and possible predictive factors

AIM:To study potential predictive factors for early radical resection in two-stage resection for left malignant colonic obstruction.METHODS:Thirty-eight cases of left-sided obstructive colon cancer undergoing two-stage operations were reviewed between January 1998 and August 2008.Patients were classified into two groups(n = 19 each):early radical resection(interval ≤ 10 d) and late radical resection(interval > 10 d).Baseline demographics,post-diversion outcome,perioperative data,tumor characteristics,outcome and complications were analyzed.RESULTS:The baseline demographics revealed no differences except for less pre-diversion sepsis in the early group(P < 0.001) and more obstruction days in the late group(P = 0.009).The mean intervals of early and late radical resections were 7.9 ± 1.3 d and 17.8 ± 5.5 d,respectively(P < 0.001).After diversion,the presence of bowel sounds,flatus,removal of the nasogastric tube and the resumption of oral feeding occurred earlier in the early group.The operation time and duration of hospital stay were both significant reduced in the early group.Complication rates did not differ between groups.CONCLUSION:The earlier recovery of bowel function seems to be predictive of early radical resection.In contrast,pre-diversion sepsis and more obstruction days were predictive of delayed radical resection.