Postoperative infections in colorectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal surgery is associated with some of the highest rates of infective complications, and especially surgical site infections. It has recently been reported that postoperative infection in colorectal cancer surgery increases the risk of recurrence. The aim of this study was to analyze factors associated with the occurrence of postoperative infections in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 81 patients operated for colorectal cancer was included. Patients' characteristics and postoperative course were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients with tumors located in the rectum had significantly higher rate of postoperative infectious complications compared to patients with tumors located in the colon (p=0.002). In a logistic regression model, among all evaluated predictors, only preoperative hemoglobin concentration was found to be an independent significant predictor of postoperative infection (p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative anemia was found to be significant independent predictor of postoperative infection. Meticulous surgical technique with minimal blood loss is an important means of reduction of postoperative infections in colorectal surgery.