In-Hospital and 6-Month Mortality Rates After Open Elective vs Open Emergent Colectomy in Patients Older Than 80 Years

BACKGROUND: There are few reports of long-term outcomes in elderly patients after open colectomy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the inhospital and 6-month outcomes and identify the variables associated with mortality after colectomy in patients >= 80 years of age. DESIGN: The charts of patients >= 80 years of age, who underwent open colectomy, were analyzed. Data included indications for operation, underlying diagnoses, preoperative functional status, type of procedure, length of procedure, length of stay, ASA grade, complications, and in-hospital and 6-month mortality rates. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to ascertain risk factors for mortality. P values of <.05 were considered significant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were in-hospital and 6-month mortality. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-two patients >= 80 years of age underwent colectomy: 99 patients emergently; 63, electively. Postoperative acute renal failure (3% vs 19%, P=.0032) and in-hospital deaths were significantly higher (4.7% vs 28%, P=.0002) among the patients undergoing emergent colectomies. The mortality rate among emergent cases rose from 28% in-hospital to 52% at 6 months. Mortality among the elective cases increased similarly from 4.7% to 28.5%. Admission from a nursing facility was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (47.6% vs 14.9%, P=.0005). Discharge to a skilled nursing facility was associated with a higher 6-month mortality rate compared with discharge to home (40% vs 17%). Length of procedure, postoperative complications, perioperative blood transfusion, and emergent indications for operation independently predicted inhospital mortality. Postoperative complications and emergent diagnosis independently predicted 6-month mortality. The 6-month mortality rate varied according to the underlying diagnosis as follows: fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis (86%); ischemic colitis (60%); gastrointestinal bleeding (37%), and volvulus (40%). LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its retrospective nature. CONCLUSIONS: Emergent open colectomy in elderly patients is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. The mortality rate rises by >20% in both elective and emergent cases at discharge to 6 months. Length of procedure, postoperative complications, and colectomy for emergent indications predicted mortality.