Rectal Cancer Surgery In Patients Older Than 80 Years: Is Hartmann'S Procedure Safe?

Background/Aim: The current study aimed to identify the safety and efficacy of Hartmann's procedure (HP) among elderly patients (age >= 80 years) with rectal cancer. Patients and Methods: Data on surgical outcome, survival rate, and incidence of stoma reversal were retrospectively compared between patients aged over 80 years who underwent anterior resection (AR) and HP. Results: In total, 79 elderly patients underwent rectal cancer surgery. Of these patients, 54 (68.4%) underwent AR and 25 (31.6%) HP. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, nutrient status, and tumor characteristics. Eight (14.8%) patients who underwent AR and six (24.0%) who underwent HP presented with intra-abdominal complications (p=0.35). The overall survival and recurrent-free survival rates between the two groups did not differ. Conclusion: HP for elderly patients with rectal cancer has similar complication rates to AR, and achieved similar oncological outcomes.