A Study of the Usefulness of Decompression in Treating Bowel Obstruction Due to Colorectal Cancer

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether to perform decompression prior to resection in cases of bowel obstruction due to colorectal cancer. SUBJECTS: There were 83 patients who underwent resection to treat a bowel obstruction due to colorectal cancer from January 2006 to August 2016. Clinical aspects and the prognosis for colorectal cancer were examined in patients who underwent decompression prior to resection and those who did not. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients, 50 underwent decompression whereas 33 did not. Patients who did not undergo decompression most often had cancer in the right colon. Surgery took longer for patients who underwent decompression; some had extensive blood loss. Patients who underwent decompression were hospitalized for significantly longer. Patients who did not undergo decompression with an obstruction of the left colorectum due to cancer had more severe complications. DFS and OS did not differ significantly in patients with a bowel obstruction due to colorectal cancer. OS did not differ significantly for patients with an obstruction of the left colorectum due to cancer, but DFS was better for patients who underwent decompression. CONCLUSION: Patients with an obstruction of the left colorectum due to cancer should undergo decompression prior to resection.