Colon cancer: the 2023 Korean clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients' values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Influence of endoscopists' expertise level on clinical outcomes after bridge-to-surgery stenting in obstructive colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIM

This study aimed to investigate the effect of stenting-related factors, including endoscopists' expertise, on clinical outcomes after bridge-to-surgery (BTS) stenting for obstructive colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

We analyzed BTS stenting-related factors, including stenting expertise and the interval between stenting and surgery, in 233 patients (63 [13] years, 137 male) who underwent BTS stenting for obstructive CRC. We evaluated the influence of these factors on post-BTS stenting clinical outcomes such as stent-related complications and cancer recurrence.

RESULTS

The interval between stenting and surgery was ≤ 7 days in 79 patients (33.9%) and > 7 days in 154 patients (66.1%). BTS stenting was performed by endoscopists with ≤ 50, 51-100, and > 100 prior stenting experiences in 94, 43, and, 96 patients, respectively. The clinical success rate of BTS stenting was 93.1%. Stent-related and postoperative complications developed in 19 (8.2%) and 20 (8.6%) patients, respectively. Cancer recurrence occurred in 76 patients (32.6%). Short BTS interval of ≤ 7 days increased the risk of postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR], 2.61 [1.03-6.75]; P = 0.043). Endoscopists' stenting experience > 100 showed greater clinical success of stenting (OR, 5.50 [1.45-28.39]; P = 0.021) and fewer stent-related complications (OR, 0.26 [0.07-0.80]; P = 0.028) compared with stenting experience ≤ 50. BTS stenting-related factors did not affect long-term oncological outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Greater expertise of endoscopists was associated with better short-term outcomes, including high stenting success rate and low rate of stent-related complications after BTS stenting for obstructive CRC. An interval of > 7 days between BTS stenting and surgery was required to decrease postoperative complications.

Surgical treatment and overall survival in patients with right-sided obstructing colon cancer-a nationwide retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare baseline characteristics, 90-day mortality and overall survival (OS) between patients with obstructing and non-obstructing right-sided colon cancer at a national level.

METHODS

All patients who underwent resection for right-sided colon cancer between January 2015 and December 2016 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and stratified for obstruction. Primary outcome was 5-year OS after excluding 90-day mortality as assessed by the Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 525 patients (7%) with obstructing and 6891 patients (93%) with non-obstructing right-sided colon cancer were included. Patients with right-sided obstructing colon cancer (OCC) were older and had more often transverse tumour location, and the pathological T and N stage was more advanced than in those without obstruction (p < 0.001). The 90-day mortality in patients with right-sided OCC was higher compared to that in patients with non-obstructing colon cancer: 10% versus 3%, respectively (p < 0.001). The 5-year OS of those surviving 90 days postoperatively was 42% in patients with OCC versus 73% in patients with non-obstructing colon cancer, respectively (p < 0.001). Worse 5-year OS was found in patients with right-sided OCC for all stages. Obstruction was an independent risk factor for decreased OS in right-sided colon cancer (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.57-2.03).

CONCLUSION

In addition to increased risk of postoperative mortality, a stage-independent worse 5-year OS after excluding 90-day mortality was found in patients with right-sided OCC compared to patients without obstruction.

Comparison of Oncological and Perioperative Outcomes Between Self-Expanding Metal Stents and Decompression Tubes for Stages II and III Obstructive Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

A bridge to surgery (BTS) using self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) is becoming the primary treatment for obstructive colorectal cancer (OCRC). In Japan, intestinal decompression was usually performed using decompression tubes (DTs). However, few reports have compared the outcomes of SEMS and DTs as BTS. Therefore, we compared the treatment outcomes of SEMS and DTs for OCRC.

METHODS

Data of 80 patients who underwent radical resection after endoscopic decompression for stage II or III OCRC between 2007 and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they received SEMS (n = 53) or DTs (n = 27).

RESULTS

The clinical success rate of decompression was 96.2% and 88.9% in the SEMS and DT groups, respectively. Additionally, 96.2% of patients who received SEMS were able to resume their routine diet without stricture symptoms. The rate of stoma construction and incidence of postoperative complications were lower in the SEMS group (p < 0.005 and p < 0.01, respectively). The 3-year relapse-free survival rates were 71.9% and 51.2% in the SEMS and DT groups, respectively, which were not significantly different (p = 0.10).

CONCLUSION

BTS using SEMS might be an adequate treatment for stage II or III OCRC regardless of tumor location owing to the comparable oncological outcomes with DT and low perioperative complication rate.

Self-expandable metallic stent as bridge to surgery vs. emergency resection in obstructive right-sided colon cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Emergency resection is common for malignant right-sided obstructive colon cancer. As there is evidence showing a potential benefit of self-expandable metal stents as a bridge to surgery, a new debate has been initiated.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare self-expandable metal stents with emergency resection in right-sided obstructive colon cancer.

DATA SOURCE

A systematic search was conducted accessing Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies reporting either emergency surgery or stent placement in right-sided obstructive colon cancer were included.

INTERVENTION

Stent or emergency resection in right-sided obstructive colon cancer.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Morbidity rate, mortality rate, stoma rate, laparoscopic resection rate, anastomotic insufficiency rate, success rate of stent.

RESULTS

A total of 6343 patients from 16 publications were analyzed. The stent success rate was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.87 to 0.95) with perforation of 0.03 (95% CI, 0.01 to 0.06). Emergency resection was performed laparoscopically at a rate of 0.15 (95% CI, 0.09 to 0.24). Primary anastomosis rate in emergency resection was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.91 to 0.97) with an anastomotic insufficiency rate of 0.07 (95% CI, 0.04 to 0.11). The mortality rate after emergency resection was 0.05 (95% CI, 0.02 to 0.09). Primary anastomosis and anastomotic insufficiency rate were similar between the two groups (RR: 1.02; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.1; p = 0.56 and RR: 0.53; 95% CI, 0.14 to 1.93; p = 0.33). The mortality rate in emergency resection was higher compared to stent (RR: 0.51, 95% CI 0.30 to 10.89, p = 0.016).

LIMITATION

No randomized controlled trials are available.

CONCLUSION

Stent is a safe and successful alternative to emergency resection and may increase the rate of minimally invasive surgery. Emergency resection, however, remains safe and did not result in higher rate of anastomotic insufficiency. Further high-quality comparative studies are warranted to assess long-term outcomes.

Patterns of staging, treatment, and mortality in gastric, colorectal, and lung cancer among older adults with and without preexisting dementia: a Japanese multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about dementia's impact on patterns of diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in cancer patients. This study aimed to elucidate the differences in cancer staging, treatment, and mortality in older cancer patients with and without preexisting dementia.

METHODS

Using cancer registry data and administrative data from 30 hospitals in Japan, this multicentre retrospective cohort study examined patients aged 65-99 years who were newly diagnosed with gastric, colorectal, or lung cancer in 2014-2015. Dementia status (none, mild, and moderate-to-severe) at the time of cancer diagnosis was extracted from clinical summaries in administrative data, and set as the exposure of interest. We constructed multivariable logistic regression models to analyse cancer staging and treatment, and multivariable Cox regression models to analyse three-year survival.

RESULTS

Among gastric (n = 6016), colorectal (n = 7257), and lung (n = 4502) cancer patients, 5.1%, 5.8%, and 6.4% had dementia, respectively. Patients with dementia were more likely to receive unstaged and advanced-stage cancer diagnoses; less likely to undergo tumour resection for stage I, II, and III gastric cancer and for stage I and II lung cancer; less likely to receive pharmacotherapy for stage III and IV lung cancer; more likely to undergo tumour resection for all-stage colorectal cancer; and more likely to die within three years of cancer diagnosis. The effects of moderate-to-severe dementia were greater than those of mild dementia, with the exception of tumour resection for colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSION

Older cancer patients with preexisting dementia are less likely to receive standard cancer treatment and more likely to experience poorer outcomes. Clinicians should be aware of these risks, and would benefit from standardised guidelines to aid their decision-making in diagnosing and treating these patients.

Propensity score matching study of 325 patients with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

This study aims to find out the possible optimal therapy and assess the prognosis properly for patient with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to study the data from 325 patients with ruptured HCC (RHCC) and 2,291 patients with non-RHCC.

Results

The incidence and hospital mortality of RHCC were 5.1% and 0.8% respectively, with a median overall survival (OS) time of 17 months. There was no difference between ruptured and non-RHCC patients undergoing conservation treatment in terms of OS. Trans-arterial embolization (TAE) was carried out in 69 (21.2%) cases with RHCC, with a median OS of 7 months, which was no difference from that of non-RHCC (pre- and post-PSM). One hundred and sixty-nine (52.0%) RHCC cases underwent one-stage hepatectomy, with a median OS and disease-free survival (DFS) of 30 and 6 months respectively, which were shorter than that of non-RHCC (post-PSM). TAE plus two-stage hepatectomy was performed in 30 RHCC cases, with a median OS and DFS of 28 and 10 months respectively; these outcomes were better than that from RHCC patients undergoing TAE alone or one-stage hepatectomy (post-PSM), which were no difference from that of non-RHCC patients undergoing hepatectomy. The risk of death for RHCC patient undergoing one-stage hepatectomy is 1.545 times higher than that of one undergoing TAE + two-stage hepatectomy.

Conclusions

TAE plus two-stage hepatectomy might be the optimal treatment for RHCC patient. Under the premise of the same pathological properties, there is no difference in prognosis between ruptured and non-RHCC patients if the therapy is appropriate.

Mechanical and oral antibiotics bowel preparation for elective rectal cancer surgery: A propensity score matching analysis using a nationwide inpatient database in Japan

Aim

The best bowel preparation method for rectal surgery remains controversial. In this study we compared the efficacy and safety of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) alone and MOABP (MBP combined with oral antibiotic bowel preparation [OABP]) for rectal cancer surgery.

Methods

In this retrospective study we analyzed data from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database on 37 291 patients who had undergone low anterior resection for rectal cancer from 2014 to 2017. Propensity score matching analysis was used to compare postoperative outcomes between MBP alone and MOABP.

Results

A total of 37 291 patients were divided into four groups: MBP alone: 77.7%, no bowel preparation (NBP): 16.9%, MOABP: 4.7%, and OABP alone: 0.7%. In propensity score matching analysis with 1756 pairs, anastomotic leakage (4.84% vs 7.86%, P < 0.001), small bowel obstruction (1.54% vs 3.08%, P = 0.002) and reoperation (3.76% vs 5.98%, P = 0.002) were less in the MOABP group than in the MBP group. The mean duration of postoperative antibiotics medication was shorter in the MOABP group (5.2 d vs 7.5 d, P < 0.001) than in the MBP group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of Clostridium difficile (CD) colitis (0.40% vs 0.68%, P = 0.250) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colitis (0.11% vs 0.17%, P = 0.654). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between the two groups (0.00% vs 0.11% respectively, P = 0.157).

Conclusion

MOABP for rectal surgery is associated with a decreased incidence of postoperative complications without increasing the incidence of CD colitis and MRSA colitis.

Current practice for the treatment of obstructive left-sided colon cancer in China: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

PURPOSE

This study surveyed the current practice of surgical treatment of obstructive left-sided colon cancer (OLCC) in China.

METHODS

All colorectal surgery departments at tertiary or secondary hospitals in China were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire between August 27 and September 2, 2020.

RESULTS

Overall, completed questionnaire were received from 357 hospitals. Emergency surgery was the mainstay of treatment for OLCC, with the open approach accounting for up to 61.62%. The stoma rate of emergency surgery was up to 80%, mainly due to inadequate bowel preparation and severe edema of colon walls. Hartmann's procedure (61.62%) was the most preferred operation. A total of 243 hospitals (68.7%) reported that they would consider the use of a self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) as a bridge for elective surgery. More than 50% of the hospitals participating in this study reported the success rate of SEMS placement, as well as the resolution rate of obstruction more than 80%, and the stent-related perforation rate was < 5%. A total of 126 hospitals considered carrying out a strategy of SEMS followed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to elective surgery and believed that it might further improve treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

SEMS is a feasible option for the treatment of OLCC in addition to traditional emergency surgery, and its clinical benefits have been preliminarily recognized.

Case report: Stent-first strategy as a potential approach in the management of malignant right-sided colonic obstruction with cardiovascular risks

In obstructing left-sided colonic or rectal cancer, endoscopic stent placement with the purpose of decompression and bridge to elective colon resection has been widely utilized and accepted. However, in malignant right-sided colonic obstruction, stent placement prior to colectomy is still highly controversial, due to lower clinical success and high anastomotic leak. We report a case of malignant right-sided colonic obstruction based on the radiological findings of irregular thickening of ascending colon wall and dilation of proximal large bowel on enhanced computed tomography scan. The 72-year-old woman presented with obvious abdominal distension. Due to concerning cardiovascular complications as intermittent chest pain and a long history of type 2 diabetes, a three-step therapeutic plan was instigated. Initially, a self-expandable metallic stent was placed palliatively to relieve the bowel obstruction. Consecutively, coronary angiography was performed, and two coronary stents were implanted to alleviate more than 80% stenosis of two main coronary arteries. One month later, laparoscopic radical resection of right colon and lymphadenectomy were successfully performed, with a blood loss less than 50 millimeters and a harvest of 29 lymph nodes, 1 being positive. The patient was discharged one week postoperatively with no complications, and received adjuvant chemotherapy one month later. During a follow-up of more than one year, the patient was in complete remission with no recurrence and cardiovascular events. In patients presenting with malignant right-sided colonic obstruction and peril of high cardiovascular risks, we propose colonic and coronary stent-first strategy to emergency surgery as a potential approach so as to ensure sufficient cardiovascular preparation improving perioperative safety. Moreover, the anatomical location of the tumor would be significantly achievable thus granting high-quality radical colon resection and lymphadenectomy.

Utility and safety of the self-expandable metallic colonic stent in Japanese patients who received systemic chemotherapy or palliative treatment for obstructive primary advanced colorectal cancer: A retrospective single-center medical chart evaluation

Background and Aim

The present study aimed to compare the utility and safety of the colonic self-expandable metallic stent between patients with obstructive primary colorectal cancer who underwent chemotherapy or palliative treatment care and patients bridging for surgery.

Methods

The cases of 71 patients with colonic obstructive stenosis and in-dwelling stents who were hospitalized between May 2012 and April 2020 at Karatsu Red Cross Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were classified into three groups: bridging for curative surgery (group I), receiving systemic chemotherapy (group II-A), and receiving only palliative treatment (group II-B). Technical and clinical success rates and complication rates after stenting were evaluated.

Results

No significant differences were observed in the technical (procedure) success rates (group I: 100%; group II, 97.6% [II-A: 100%; II-B: 95.8%]). The total clinical success rate was 85.9% (61/71) and did not vary significantly among the groups (group I: 82.8%; group II 88.0% [II-A: 83.3%; II-B: 91.6%]). No significant differences were observed in the early complication rates between groups I and II and in the late complication rates between groups II-A and II-B. Nutrition status, general condition, tumor staging, and 1-year survival were poorer in group II than in group I.

Conclusion

The findings show that colonic stenting for malignant obstruction was performed successfully and safely both in patients who received systemic chemotherapy or palliative therapy and in patients bridging for curative surgery, regardless of risk status for malnutrition, poor general condition, cancer stage progression, and short survival.

Colonic stent as a bridge to surgery versus emergency resection for right-sided malignant large bowel obstruction: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Preoperative colonic stenting for malignant large bowel obstruction (MLBO), also called bridge to surgery (BTS), is considered a great substitute treatment for emergency resection (ER) in the left-sided colon. However, its efficacy in the right-sided colon remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the postoperative short-term outcomes between BTS and ER for right-sided MLBO.

METHODS

A comprehensive electronic literature search throughout December 2020 was performed to identify studies comparing short-term outcomes between BTS and ER for right-side MLBO. The main outcome measures were postoperative complications and mortality rates. A meta-analysis was performed using a fixed-effect or a random-effect method to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTS

Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis, comprising 5136 patients, of whom 1662 (32.4%) underwent BTS and 3474 (67.6%) underwent ER. This meta-analysis demonstrated that BTS resulted in reductions in postoperative complications (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66-0.92) and mortality (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28-0.92) than ER.

CONCLUSION

The results of this meta-analysis indicate that BTS for right-sided MLBO confers preferable short-term outcomes as well as for left-sided. This suggests that BTS results in a reduction of postoperative complications and mortality for right-sided MLBO than ER.

What are the factors predictive of postoperative complications in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing stenting as a bridge to surgery?

OBJECTIVE

Using a self-expanding metal stent as a bridge to surgery (BTS) is considered a reasonable strategy for patients with acute malignant large bowel obstruction. Since postoperative complications have a negative impact on patient survival, we aim to clarify the predictors of complications in patients undergoing BTS using a self-expanding metal stent.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 61 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) who underwent stenting as a BTS at our institution. We analyzed the association of postoperative complications with clinicopathologic, surgical, and patient factors, and with the prestenting or preoperative laboratory data.

RESULTS

Both postoperative complications in general and severe complications were significantly associated with a longer stenotic-section length (p = 0.007 and p = 0.003), lower preoperative hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001 and p = 0.081), and lower prestenting hemoglobin levels (p = 0.006 and p = 0.042). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lower prestenting (<13.0 g/dl) and preoperative (<11.5 g/dl) hemoglobin levels were independent predictive factors for postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR]: 4.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-18.90; p = 0.040; and OR: 4.93; 95% CI: 1.35-20.28; p = 0.016). A stenotic-section length of 5.0 cm or greater was predictive of severe complications (OR: 25.67; 95% CI: 1.95-1185.00; p = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that lower hemoglobin levels before stenting and a longer length of the stenotic section of bowel might predict postoperative complications in patients with CRC undergoing BTS for obstruction.

Validity of a model using routinely collected data for identifying infections following gastric, colorectal, and liver cancer surgeries

PURPOSE

Validating outcome measures is a prerequisite for using administrative databases for comparative effectiveness research. Although the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database is widely used in surgical studies, the outcome measure for postsurgical infection has not been validated. We developed a model to identify postsurgical infections using the routinely-collected Diagnosis Procedure Combination data.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified inpatients who underwent surgery for gastric, colorectal, or liver cancer between April 2016 and March 2018 at four hospitals. Chart reviews were conducted to identify postsurgical infections. We used bootstrap analysis with backwards variable elimination to select independent variables from routinely-collected diagnosis and procedure data. Selected variables were used to create a score predicting the chart review-identified infections, and the performance of the score was tested.

RESULTS

Among the 756 eligible patients, 102 patients (13%) had postoperative infections. Three variables were identified as predictors: diagnosis of infectious disease recorded as a complication arising after admission, addition of an intravenous antibiotic, and bacterial microscopy or culture. The prediction model had a C-statistic of 0.891 and pseudo-R² of 0.380. A cut-off of 1 point of the score showed a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 71%, and a cut-off of 2 points showed a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 91%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our model using routinely-collected administrative data accurately identified postoperative infections. Further external validation would lead to the application of the model for research using administrative databases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Patient backgrounds and short‐term outcomes of complicated appendicitis differ from those of uncomplicated appendicitis

Background

Appendicitis is classified as either complicated (CA) or uncomplicated (UA). Some authors have shown that the epidemiologic trends of CA and UA may differ. The aim of this study was to clarify differences in backgrounds and surgical outcomes between CA and UA patients.

Methods

This study was a cohort study. We extracted case data from the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database from January 2014 to December 2017. Patients were classified into three groups, depending on whether they underwent emergency appendectomy for CA (CA group), emergency appendectomy for UA (UA group), or elective appendectomy (EA group). We evaluated patient characteristics and surgical outcomes for each group.

Results

We included 89,355 adult patients in the study, comprising 29,331 CA, 48,691 UA, and 11,333 EA patients. Old age, larger body mass index, smoking, and medication with antidiabetic drugs, oral corticosteroids, oral antiplatelet drugs, and oral anticoagulant drugs were independent risk factors for CA. The percentage of CA increased with age. In‐hospital mortality (0.15%, 0.02%, and 0.00%) and 30‐d mortality (0.09%, 0.01%, and 0.00%), respectively, of CA patients were significantly higher than those of the UA and EA groups. The duration of postoperative antibiotic administration, duration of fasting, and time before removal of a prophylactic drain were significantly longer in the CA group than in the UA and EA groups.

Conclusion

Backgrounds and treatment outcomes of CA and UA patients after emergency surgery are entirely different. Thus, the treatment strategy of CA and UA patients should differ accordingly.

Emergency resection or diverting stoma followed by elective resection in patients with colonic obstruction due to locally advanced cancer: a national cohort study

AIM

The aim was to assess long-term prognosis after emergency resection versus primary diverting stoma followed by elective tumour resection.

METHOD

A national-register-based cohort study with retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed. All Swedish patients with non-metastatic obstructive locally advanced colon cancer treated with emergency resection or diverting stoma, followed by an elective resection, between 2007 and 2017 were included. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to compare all-cause mortality between patients with emergency resection and elective right- and left-sided resection. The multivariable model was adjusted for year of diagnosis, age at diagnosis, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, tumour location and pN stage.

RESULTS

In all, 751 patients with a tumour in the right colon and 700 patients with a tumour in the left colon were included. Emergency resection was more common in patients with right-sided colon tumours (681/751) than in patients with left-sided colon tumours (483/700). The 5-year overall survival in patients with right-sided tumours was 25% after emergency resection and 46% after diverting stoma followed by elective resection (log-rank test P = 0.001). The corresponding numbers for patients with left-sided colon tumours were 40% and 64% (P < 0.001). Emergency resection was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients with left-sided tumour (hazard ratio 1.63, 95% CI 1.21-2.19) but not in patients with right-sided tumour (hazard ratio 1.21, 95% CI 0.80-1.81).

CONCLUSION

Diverting stoma followed by elective resection is associated with improved survival compared with emergency resection in patients with left-sided colonic obstruction due to locally advanced tumours.