[Intensive care after digestive surgery: the outcome in elderly patients]

The impact of the risk factor "age" on the early postoperative results of surgery for colorectal carcinoma and its significance for perioperative management

The risks and benefits of surgery for colorectal cancer in old patients have not been unequivocally defined. The present investigation was carried out in 309 hospitals as a prospective multicenter study. In the period between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2001, a total of 19,080 patients were recruited for the study; 16,142 (84.6%) patients were younger than 80 years (<80) and 2932 (15.4%) were 80 years and older (> or =80). Significant differences between the age groups were observed for general postoperative complications (22.3% for <80 years; 33.9% for > or =80). Specific postoperative complications were identical in both groups. Overall, significantly elevated morbidity and mortality rates were found with increasing age (morbidity: 33.9% vs. 43.5%; mortality: 2.6% vs. 8.0%). The distribution of tumor stages revealed a significantly higher percentage of locally advanced tumors in the older age group (stage II: 28.0% vs. 34.4%). In contrast, no increase in metastasizing tumors was found in the older age group (stage IV: 17.4% vs. 14.1%). Logistic regression showed that, in concert with a number of other parameters, age is a significant influencing factor on postoperative morbidity and mortality. The increase in postoperative morbidity and mortality rates associated with aging is a result of the increase in general postoperative complications, in particular, pneumonia and cardiovascular complications. Age as such does not represent a contraindication for surgical treatment. The short-term outcome and quality of life are of overriding importance for the geriatric patient.

[Intensive care unit hospitalization after colorectal surgery]

OBJECTIVE

Intensive care units (ICU) support critically ill patients during the perioperative period. Few studies exist focusing on ICU hospitalisation after colorectal surgery. The objective of the study was to 1) detect predictive factors of mortality and length of stay in ICU after colorectal procedures, and 2) compare the autonomy status of the patients before and 30 days after their ICU stay.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study followed a prospective non randomized cohort in our colorectal surgery unit. During a period of one year (January 1st to December 31th, 2000) 351 colorectal procedures were performed and 54 patients were admitted to ICU after surgery. For each patient, 37 parameters were collected on a standardized register. Predictive factors of mortality (30 days after the procedure) and ICU stay (up to 3 days) were studied by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Self autonomy before surgery and 30 days after was also investigated.

RESULTS

"Multiple-intervention" was the only independent factor influencing mortality. Both "low autonomy status before surgery" and "pulmonary comorbidity" increased the length of stay. Regarding the 48 survivors, 45 (94%) recovered the same autonomy index as in the preoperative period 30 days after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the poor predictive factors influencing mortality during or after ICU stay following colorectal surgery, and emphasizes two preoperative parameters increasing the length of stay up to 3 days. This should guide the informations given to the patients families. Finally, this study confirms the good quality of self-sufficiency after ICU stay even for a long time (over 3 days).