Post-operative mortality after surgery for colorectal cancer

This study investigated the causes of mortality in the period following surgery in colorectal cancer patients.

Researchers suggested that post-surgery mortality is very often the result of other existing diseases rather than the result of technical complications of surgery. 

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Since many colorectal cancer patients are older, there is a higher rate of existing diseases or conditions, other than cancer.

Even in cases of successful colorectal surgery, patients can die due to complications from other diseases. Two little is known about the effect of other diseases or conditions in the direct cause for post-surgery death. 

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of other diseases or conditions in the colorectal post-surgery period. This study also investigated the effect of technical complications of surgery in survival rates after surgery.

This study included 392 patients with colon cancer and 145 patients with rectal cancer. Patients who underwent surgery were followed and the cause of death within 30 days after surgery was determined.

6.9% of colon cancer patients died within the 30 days post-surgery period, and 5.3% of rectal cancer patients. Patients who died within 30 days tended to be older, with a more advanced stage of cancer. 2.9% of the deaths within 30 days were due to technical surgery complications and 3.6% due to pre-existing conditions.

This study concluded that pre-existing diseases or conditions is an important factor for survival in the post-surgery period.