The missing randomized trial of two surgical treatments for acute obstruction due to carcinoma of the left colon and rectum

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Abstract
Between 1978 and 1985, 55 patients with left-sided colonic obstruction presenting as an emergency were randomised to two treatment groups. In Group T (28 patients) a transverse colostomy was performed as a first stage. After recovery, a second stage of resection with anastomosis was carried out and 17 patients had a ‘curative’ resection. Of these the colostomy was closed as a third stage in 16. In Group R (27 patients) immediate resection with end colostomy and mucous fistula was carried out as a first stage. A ‘curative’ resection was possible in 25, of whom 5 died postoperatively. Of the 20 remaining patients, 15 underwent a second stage operation in which reanastomosis was carried out. There was no significant difference in cancer-specific survival between the two treatment groups. Six ptients having a curative operation in Group T died with recurrence and 1 further death occurred unrelated to cancer, leaving 10 alive at present, 3 of whom have recurrence. Of the 25 patients treated for cure in Group R, 5 died postoperatively, 9 died with recurrence and 11 were still alive at the time of this assessment, 1 of whom has recurrence. The results at this intermediate stage of assessment indicate no advantage for immediate resection in terms of treatment mortality and long-term survival over an initial transverse colostomy.