Identification of the Risk Factors for Postoperative Complications in Elderly Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the subgroup of patients at the greatest risk by investigating the clinicopathological features associated with postoperative complications in elderly patients with colorectal cancer.
Methods: A total of 82 patients over 75 years old with colorectal cancer who underwent tumor resection between January 2011 and July 2014 at Kamishirane Hospital were enrolled. The clinicopathological data of the patients were retrospectively evaluated.
Results: Postoperative complications over grade 2 in the Clavien-Dindo category occurred in 23 cases (28.0%) in the study group as a whole. A univariate analysis of postoperative complications over grade 2 identified four factors: male, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)≥2, preoperative ileus, and emergency operation. A multivariate analysis of postoperative complications over grade 2 identified two independent factors: male (HR: 6.31, 95% CI: 1.44-27.6; p=0.014) and CCI≥2 (HR: 3.64, 95% CI 1.15-11.5; p=0.028).
Conclusions: Elderly male patients with colorectal cancer who exhibit CCI≥2 are at a high risk for postoperative complications.