[Risk factors of perioperative morbidity and mortality in colorectal cancer with special reference to tumor stage, site and age].

The perioperative risk was prospectively analyzed in 511 patients with colorectal cancer, out of which 5% had an emergency procedure. The morbidity rate was 23.6% without an association with tumour stage or localization. The incidence of nonsurgical complications rose with increasing age because of a rising number of concomitant illnesses (< 50: 5.7%, > 80: 28.1%). The morbidity was associated with an increasing blood loss during the operation (< 500 ml: 10.6%, > 2000 ml: 30.4%), but not with the type of treatment. The overall operative mortality rate was 2.3% with the same rate of surgical complications and complications of preexisting conditions. Morbidity and mortality following emergency procedure were 56%, respectively 20%, expressing mainly septical complications of colorectal cancer.