Surgical Science, 2013, 4, 520-524
Published Online November 2013 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/ss)
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ss.2013.411101
Open Access SS
Morbidity and Mortality after Colorectal Surgery
for Cancer
Giulio Paolo Angelucci1*, Giovanni Sinibaldi2, Paolo Orsaria1, Claudio Arcudi1, Sergio Colizza2
1University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Surgery, Rome, Italy
2Hospital San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli, Isola Tiberina, Surgery, Rome, Italy
Email: *giuliopangelucci@gmail.com
Received October 31, 2013; revised November 19, 2013; accepted November 25, 2013
Copyright © 2013 Giulio Paolo Angelucci et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
ABSTRACT
Colorectal Cancer is the second most common cancer in western countries and, currently, surgical resection is still the
principal treatment for this pathology. However, the operation carries significant morbidity and mortality, which is
associated with an enormous use of healthcare resources. The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence and the
management of complications, and to understand how pre-exisiting comorbidities can influence the recovery of the
patients. Between 2007 an d 2012, a total of 534 patients und erwent elective or emergency surgery for color ectal cancer
in our department. Patients were identified for this study from a prospectively entered computerized database. Case
notes of patients documented comorbidities, type of surgery performed, complication in the early postoperative period
(30 days after surgery) and the management. Postoperative morbidity affected 89 patients (17%), of these 25 (27%)
were anastomotic leakage (AL). 22 (24%) patients experienced intra-abdominal abscess. 16 patients (17%) had wound
infections. 11 patients (13%) experienced post-operative bleeding and five of them had a re-operation within the I and
the II day after surgery. 12 (13%) complained medical (cardiologic/respiratory) complications. We had 1 (1%) Small
Bowel Obstruction, treated with a conservative therapy. Reoperation rate was 3% with 11 for AL, and 5 for bleeding.
The mortality rate was 0.55% (3 patients). In our experience, we ev idenced that surgery performed for advanced rectal
cancer in the lower rectum, especially in urgency settings is associated with an increase of morbidity and mortality in
the early post-operative period. Pre-existing comorbidities are involved in the morbidity of the patients, and a more
accurate approach both in surgical technique and in the post-operative management can be proposed to the surgeon.
Derivative stoma in high risk patients gave us the possibility of a conservative treatment of the Anastomotic Leak, the
most common complication in our study, with antibiotics and CT-drainage.
Keywords: Colorectal; Colorectal Surgery; Morbidity; Mortality; Surgery; Complications; Early Post-Operative
Complication; Management; Anastomotic Leak; Leakage
1. Introduction
Colorectal Cancer is the second most common cancer in
western countries [1] and, currently, surgical resection is
still the principal treatment for this pathology. The op-
eration carries significant morbidity which is associated
with an enormous use of healthcare resources, and mor-
tality bet ween 1% an d 2% [2 ].
Anastomotic Leak (AL) is the most fearful complica-
tion by the colorectal surgeon. The reported rate of colo-
nic anastomotic leak is in the range fro m 1.5% up to 16%,
with mortality ranging between 10% and 20% [2,3]. To-
tal Mesorectal Excision (TME) which is mandatory for
the treatment of carcinoma of the lower and mid rectum
is associated with an increased risk of clinical anastomo-
tic leakage [4]. In addition, patients who experienced a
complication in the early postoperative period have been
demonstrated to have poorer long-term functional results,
increased local recurrence rate and reduced 5-year cancer
survival [5].
The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence and
the management of complications, and to understand
how pre-existing comorbidities can influence the recov-
ery of the patients.
2. Methods
Between 2007 and the 2012 a total of 534 patients un-
derwent elective or emergency surgery for colorectal
*Corresponding a uthor.
G. P. ANGELUCCI ET AL. 521
cancer in our department; 68 (13%) of these were oper-
ated using laparoscopic approach. Patients were identi-
fied for this study from a prospectively entered comput-
erized database. Case notes of patients documented co-
morbidities, type of surgery performed, complications in
the early postoperativ e period (30 days after surg ery) and
its management.
Age, gender, physical status and comorbidities were
evaluated (Table 1).
Antibiotics prophylaxis was given with intravenous
administration for a mean time of three days, using Pi-
peracillin and Gentamycin.
The indication for surgery was malignant disease as
rectal cancer in 161 patients, colonic cancer in 368 pa-
tients. 5 patients underwent total colectomy for Familial
Adenomatous Polyposis. The distribution of Duke’s
stages was: A (invasion into but not through the bowel
wall) 105 (19%), B (invasion through the bowel wall but
not involving lymph nodes) 150 (28%), C (involvement
of lymph nodes) 183 (34%). 84 patients (13%) had be-
nign disease or incomplete staging.
Surgical procedures were: 190 Right Colectomies, 177
Left Colectomies, 162 Low Anterior Resection, 5 Total
Colectomies. Patients who had only explorative laparo-
tomy or laparoscopy were excluded from the study.
The decision in favour of laparoscopic approach was
based on surgeon experience, patient’s characteristics,
tumor size, and tumor staging. Drains were always used
for 2 - 3 days.
The great part of the anastomoses was made by stapler,
except for few right haemicolectomies. Oral fluid and
food intake was started gradually b etw een the second an d
the third day after surgery.
The definition of an anastomotic leakage was clinical:
peritonitis caused by leakage, pelvic abscess, pus or gas
from the abdominal drain. All anastomotic leakage was
confirmed by one or more of the following: CT scan, Ba-
rium Enema, and reoperation.
Incidence of wound infections, Small Bowel Obstruc-
tion (SBO), postoperative bleeding, abdominal abscess
Table 1. Patients’ demography .
Number of patients 53 4 Male 282 (53%) Female 252 (47%)
Age 68.1 (SD 11.3 )
Mean hospital stay 11.6 days, range 1 - 71, S D 8.4
Type of surgery
190 Right Colectomies
177 Left Colectomies
162 Low Anterior Resection
5 Total Colectomies
Comorbidities
86 pts (16%)
Cardiovascular 68
Diabetes 16
Others 2
Approach Open 466 (87%)
Laparoscopic 68 (13%)
and medical complication were also recorded.
Statistical analysis was made using Fisher’s exact test.
3. Results
The total number of patients who underwent Colorectal
Surgery (CRS) in our department was 618 (Male 316
51%/Female 302 48.9%), the mean age was 68.1 (SD
11.3). Of these, 534 patients underwent elective or emer-
gency surgery for CRS for cancer. Mean Hospital stay
was 11. 6 days, SD 8.4 .
Postoperative morbidity affected 89 patients (17%), 25
of these (27%) w ere anastomotic leakage, occurring with
in the III and the IX day after surgery. 4 of these patients
were re-operated with laparoscopic technique, 7 with
open surgery (Table 2).
22 (24%) patients experienced intra-abdominal abscess
usually treated with intra venous antibiotics adminis-
tration and CT-Scan monitoring. In 4 of them, CT drain-
age was performed.
16 out of 89 patients (17%) had wound infections. 11
patients (13%) experienced post-operative bleeding and
five of them a re-operation within the I and the II day
after surgery. 12 (13%) complained medical (cardio-
logic/respiratory) complications, one patient of these died
in the immediate postoperative period. 2 patients (2%)
complained ileus treated with conservative therapy. We
had 1 (1%) Small Bowel Obstruction, treated with a
conservative therapy (Table 3).
16 patients (17% of the complicated patients) under-
went laparotomy for surgical complications: 1 1 for anas-
tomotic leakage, between the III and IX day after surgery
mean time (5.1 SD 2.4). 5 patients underwent reoperation
for bleeding the same day after the procedure or the day
after (Table 4). We also evaluated the Duke’s stage re-
lated complications since the tumor invasion could be
associated with an increased risk of AL, as reported in
literature [1,2], however, in our study there was not a
statistical evidence (Table 5).
Otherwise we found correlation between pre-existing
comorbidities and complications rate to be statistically
significant (p = 0.00775).
4. Discussion
In this population based study of 534 patients operated
Table 2. Anastomotic leakage and mortality.
Total num.
procedures Number of
leaks Leak rate (%)Mortality
Anterior Resection162 12 7% 2 (1.2%)
L Hemicolectomy177 5 3%
R Hemicolectomy190 7 4% 1 (0.5%)
Total Colectomy5 1 20%
Total 534 25 4.7% 3 (0.55%)
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G. P. ANGELUCCI ET AL.
522
Table 3. Overall morbidity.
Complications n
Anastomotic Leakage 25 (4.7%)
Intra-Abdominal Abscess 22 (4.1%)
Wound Infections 16 (3%)
Bleeding 11 (2%)
Cardiological/Respiratory 12 (2%)
Ileus 2 (0.3%)
SBO 1 (0.2%)
Total 89/534 (17%)
Table 4. Re-operation rate and morbidity.
Bleeding AL
Reoperations (3%) 5 11
Table 5. TNM related complications.
Duke stage A: 19% experienced AL
Duke stage B: 28% experienced AL
Duke stage C: 34% experienced AL
for colorectal cancer 89 (17%) experienced a compli-
cation. 25 (28%) of them had an anastomotic leakage, a
total of 4.7% with an associated mortality of 0.55%. 12
of them after an anterior resection and a TME. One well
recognized risk factor is shown to be the level of the an-
astomosis, usually between 7 cm and 5 cm from the anal
verge [6]. In present study low anastomosis was an inde-
pendent risk factor. In 69% of cases the reoperation per-
formed was laparotomy, drainage and stoma formation.
In 58 out of 162 patients treated by anterior resection of
the rectum had a contemporary right colostomy (very
rarely, Ileostomy). Such approach was usually limited to
patients who had a primary radio-chemotherapy. In case
of AL, these patients were cured by CT-scan drainage (8
cases), even though the role of temporary stoma is still
controversial [7].
In our experience, the major advantage was a less
dramatic consequences when the leak occurs, giving us
the possibility of a con serv a tive treatment. Disadv an tag es
were the cost of a second operation and the possible
stoma related complications.
Identifying possible risk factor for an anastomotic
leakage could be useful to select patients who may need
a temporary stoma. Pre-existing comorbidities (cardio-
respiratory), reduced preoperative nutritional status (ane-
mia, hypoprotidedemia and weight loss), set of surgery
(emergency and elective) previous radiation and gender
(male > risk) [8] were recorded as a guide for in-
tra-operative decisions i n our experience.
Previous studies concluded that significant clinical in-
dicators of leakage were fever (>38˚C) on day 2, absence
of bowel action on day 4, diarrhea before day 7, more
than 400 ml of fluid in the abdominal drain by day 3,
renal failure on day 3 and leukocytosis on day 7 [7].
However, our analysis shows that the majority of patients
who experienced an anastomotic leakage had a radio-
logical diagnosis. The decision of a reoperation was usu-
ally made on the data from the CT scanning with rectal
contrast associated on the clinical findings.
4 of the 68 (13%) patients who underwent a colonic
resection using laparoscopic technique experienced an
anastomotic leak. Such figure is greater than the mean
incidence (4.7%) but it is not statistically significant. We
can not also demonstrate a reduction of complication
such bleeding, wound infection and medical complica-
tions in short term postoperative outcome.
Intra-abdominal abscess were the second most fre-
quent complication that our patients experienced. Ac-
cording with the literature the treatment consisted in
percutaneous CT-guided abscess drainage that is shown
to be an effective method for treating intra-abdominal
abscess following elective colorectal surgery with a ran-
ge of success between 65% after the first and 85% after a
second attempt [9].
Postoperative wound infection occurred in 16 (3%) of
the patients. In contaminated surgery, such as elective
major colorectal surgery, has a reported incidence of in-
cisional Surgical Site Infections (SSI), ranging from 10%
- 15% to 20% - 25% associated with significant morbid-
ity, prolonged hospital length of stay, and a high cost to
the patient and the institution [10]. In our experience
intravenous antibiotics were given 30 minutes before the
surgery, as suggested in literature. Preoperative cleaning
of the patient’s skin was made by chlorhexidine-alcohol.
It is shown that is superior to povidoneiodine for pre-
venting surgical-site in fection after contaminated surgery,
including colorectal procedures [11]. Wound Infection
occurred more frequently in emergency surgery. Two
cases after perforation of the colon for a large bowel ob-
struction due to advanced cancer. Five patients were
diabetics and obese. The treatment of the wound infec-
tion was based on out-patient clinic medications and in
three cases with a prolonged antibiotic therapy.
16 patients (3%) underwent a reoperation, five for an
immediate bleeding after surgery, and eleven for an an-
astomotic leakage, two of these died after the reoperation.
In literature the data regarding reoperation after colorec-
tal surgery is variable. In a large series of patients the
re-operation rate is shown to be up to 12.5% and the ap-
proach is performed with laparotomy between the 60%
and the 85% of the patients [8]. However, the li mit in our
study to compare these results is evident for the great
number of patients undergoing a right haemicolectomy,
so with a lower risk of anastomotic leakage and without
the risk of the mobilization of the splenic flexure.
12 patients experienced medical complications. The
management of colorectal surgical patients requires me-
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G. P. ANGELUCCI ET AL.
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523
ticulous fluid and electrolyte therapy, and the involve-
ment of a multidisciplinary team comprehensive of an-
esthesiologist for the understanding of the pre-existing
comorbidities that are involved in the morbidity of the
patients [12]. Age was non-related with the morbidity
and mortality. Patients with ASA grade >2, or cardio-
vascular disease and/or respiratory disease had higher
incidence of morbidity and experienced longer recovery
in Intensive Care Unit. Four of them died for heart failure,
and one for respiratory failure.
It is also demonstrated a significant ongoing risk of
SBO after colorectal surgery, mainly during the 1st year
after surgery. It is usually associated with the adhesions
formation, especially after open surgery [13]. We had
two cases of postoperative ileus and one patient experi-
enced a SBO treated with no oral intake, gastric tube and
fluid therapy. The diagnosis of SBO was based on clini-
cal and imaging criteria. Current practice for manage-
ment of SBO is to give patients who are clinically stable
and without evidence of bowel ischemia or strangulation
a trial of conservative manage ment. Previously published
data suggest that 43% to 70% of these patients have
resolution of their SBO [14].
5. Conclusions
Our study is a retrospective case review, focusing on
how comorbidities can influence the outcome of the pa-
tients and on the management of the surgical complica-
tion. The limit of our clinical records is related to the
short-term follow-up, the number of the patients, and the
few patients treated with a laparoscopic approach.
In our experience, we evidenced that surgery perfor-
med for advanced rectal cancer in the lower rectum, es-
pecially in urgency settings is associated with an increase
of morbidity and mortality in the early post-operative
period, higher than colonic resections.
Pre-existing comorbidities are involved in the morbid-
ity of the patients: obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular dis-
ease, respiratory disease and renal failure. And a more
accurate approach both in surgical technique and in
post-operative management can be proposed to the sur-
geon. In our experience, age per-se is not a serious inde-
pendent risk factor unless the patient has one of the pre-
vious comorbidities.
It seems that derivative stoma in high risk patients
does not decrease the incidence of AL, but may give us
the possibility of a conservative treatment with antibiot-
ics and CT-drainage.
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Abbreviations
AL: Anastomotic Leak;
TME: Total Mesorectal Excision;
SBO: Small Bowel Obstruction;
CRS: Colorectal Surgery;
SSI: Surgical Site Infections.
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