Reoperation for colorectal cancer.

In a retrospective study, the results of reoperation for colorectal cancer were evaluated in 43 consecutive cases. The overall postoperative mortality was 9% and the morbidity 47%. The mean survival time was 20 +/- 23 months, median 14 months. The postoperative symptom-free period was 12 +/- 25 months and the cumulative 5-year survival rate 9 +/- 5%. Mortality was 20% after enterostomy and 13% after resection, but nil after bypass procedures or exploratory laparotomy. Resection gave significantly better survival figures than the other procedures. After radical resection, mean and median survival times (56 +/- 35 and 48 months) and postoperative symptom-free period (54 +/- 35 months) were significantly prolonged. Spread of recurrent tumour correlated well with survival time, the means for regional and distant recurrence being, respectively, 27 +/- 29 and 11 +/- 10 months. The authors conclude that for these patients resection offers the best outlook as regards survival. With other procedures palliation is briefer, without significant reduction of postoperative morbidity.