Early Surgical and Oncologic Outcomes After Elective versus Emergency Colorectal Cancer Resection
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64149/J.Carcinog.24.7s.921-928Keywords:
Anastomotic leak; Colorectal cancer; Emergency surgery; Lymph node yield; Oncologic outcomes; R0 resection; StomaAbstract
Introduction: Emergency presentations of colorectal cancer (CRC) carry distinct perioperative risks compared with elective resections. Comparing early surgical and oncologic quality metrics between elective and emergency pathways yields actionable benchmarks to optimize care in regional referral settings
Aim: To compare early surgical and oncologic outcomes after elective versus emergency CRC resections at a tertiary hospital in Northeast India.
Objectives: 1. To study baseline demographics of colorectal cancer patients undergoing resections. 2.To analyse operative patterns including surgical approach and stoma creation.
Methodology: Record based retrospective study of patients undergoing definitive CRC resection at Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), Chümoukedima, Nagaland, India, from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2024 was done. Cases were categorized as elective (planned) or emergency (acute obstruction, perforation, or bleeding). Variables included demographics, operative approach, stoma formation, pathologic stage, lymph-node (LN) metrics (examined; ≥12 nodes), margins (R0), complications, anastomotic leak, ICU/HDU use and duration, length of stay (LOS), and in-hospital mortality. Descriptive statistics are reported.
Results: Forty patients were analyzed (elective 32; emergency 8); mean age 55.0 ± 14.5 years; 60.0% male; comorbidities 37.5%. Open surgery predominated (67.5%); stoma in 55.0%. Pathologic stages: II 25.0%, III 60.0%, IV 15.0%. Mean LN yield 18.6 ± 6.1; adequate harvest (≥12) 92.5%; node-positive 57.5%; R0 100%. Any complication occurred in 20.0%; anastomotic leak 5.0%. ICU/HDU use 97.5% (typical stay ~1 day). Median LOS 7 days overall (elective 7; emergency 6). No in-hospital mortality.
Conclusion: In this study, emergency resections comprised one-fifth of CRC operations and were more frequently open with higher stoma use, yet oncologic quality was largely maintained (R0 100%; ≥12 nodes 92.5%) and early outcomes were acceptable, with low leak rates and zero in-hospital mortality.
