[Postoperative complications and fatalities in surgical therapy of colon carcinoma. Results of the German multicenter study by the Colorectal Carcinoma Study Group].

In a prospective multicenter study an analysis of postoperative morbidity and mortality of 1224 patients with colon carcinoma treated in 7 departments of surgery was performed. The postoperative morbidity rate was 23.2% in elective surgery and 39.1% in emergency surgery. Postoperative mortality was 3.4% in elective cases and 11.6% in emergency cases. Preoperative associated diseases, which are more frequent in higher age, advanced tumor stage, and postoperative non-surgical complications rise operative mortality. However, surgical complications increase postoperative mortality only in cases of anastomotic leaks. The rates of postoperative complications depended on different surgical departments. Departments performing a delayed tumor resection in emergency surgery had better results. In elective cases the standard of oncological resections should be observed. In emergency cases operative procedure and extension of the resection should be planed in consideration of preoperative risk factors of the individual patient.