An argument for increased use of subtotal colectomy in the management of carcinoma of the colon.

Subtotal colectomy (STC) is a safe operation because operative mortality rates are as good as, if not better than, conventional segmental colon resections. It is no more difficult to perform than conventional segmental resections. Suture line complications, such as fecal fistulas and suture line recurrences, are not as common before as they are after colocolic anastomoses. In addition to being used in cases with known synchronous carcinomas, and carcinoma associated with polyps, STC should be considered in selected patients with obstructing or partially obstructing lesions of the sigmoid or left colon when complete evaluation of the proximal colon has not been possible. STC can be combined with a preliminary transverse colostomy for obstructing left colon lesions when appropriate evaluation demonstrates suitable indications for the resection of the colostomy as a one-stage procedure with ileocolic anastomosis. It also should be considered if there is significant distal sigmoidal diverticular disease associated with proximal carcinomas. Statistically, STC does not appear to be indicated as a prophylactic operation to avoid the development of metachronous colon cancer when the entire colon can be surveyed colonoscopically to assure that there is no associated neoplasm.