Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı, İzmir
Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, İzmir
Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Anesteziyoloji ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, İzmir The majority of patients with colorectal cancer are older than 65 years when they were diagnosed. In present study, the aim was to assess the differences in morbidity and mortality in colorectal cancer surgery in relation to age. The hospital records of 318 patients who had colorectal cancer resection were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups; aged less than 65 years and aged 65 and more. Some factors such as associated conditions, anesthetic risk, emergency or elective operation that effect morbidity and mortality were compared in two groups. 186 patients were aged <65 and 132 patients were aged ~65. Eighty tree percent of younger patients whereas 68% of older patients had low anesthetic risk (p<0.01 ). Associated conditions were found in 20% and 43% in younger and older patients, respectively (p<0.001 ). In both groups, the most frequent complication was wound infection (% 11 and % 11, p=0.87). Anastomotic leak rates were low in both groups: 4% in younger and 5% in older patients (p=0.76). The total mortality rate of the series was found as 2.5%. There were no differences between younger and older patients in terms of morbidity and mortality rates (25% vs. 26%; p=0.81, 3% vs. 2%; p=1.0000). It was concluded that colorectal cancer surgery in elderly can be performed safely. Keywords : Colorectal surgery, Elderly, Mortality, Morbidity