Subtotal colectomy with primary anastomosis without diversion in the treatment of obstructing carcinoma of the left colon.

A small series of patients with obstruction from an adenocarcinoma of the left colon is presented. The recommended treatment in selected cases is subtotal colectomy with primary anastomosis without diversion. The morbidity and mortality in this small series was minimal compared with those reported in a much larger series of similar cases treated by bowel decompression with or without concomitant resection of the lesion. Further follow-up of this series is needed. However, this procedure should be considered seriously in selected patients with obstructing carcinoma of the left colon.