Quality assurance in colon and rectal cancer surgery.

Surgery remains the cornerstone in the multidisciplinary treatment of colon and rectal cancer. Many diagnostic, technical, and adjuvant therapies are known to impact the immediate and long-term oncologic results. Guidelines for appropriate cancer-specific management of colorectal cancer should be adhered to so as to optimize the oncologic outcomes. Similarly, patient-specific surgical outcomes are also linked to many systems-based factors, such as appropriate use of perioperative antibiotics, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and avoidance of surgical complications.