RESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is a limited functional reserve in patients over 65 years of age which is conducive to more frequent postoperative complications. Disease extension at the time of diagnosis (clinical stage) and complete tumor resection are two independent risk factors that have a direct influence on survival. AIMS: To describe the factors that influence morbidity and mortality in patients over 65 years of age after colorectal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational, descriptive study was carried out within the time frame of January 2004 and December 2009 on 105 colon cancer patients after colorectal surgery. They were divided into two groups, one under 65 years of age and the other over 65 years of age, in order to compare preoperative comorbidity, as well as morbidity and mortality 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 105 patient total (53,3%), 56 were ≤ 65 years of age. There were complications in 42,8% of the patients, and those of early and less severe presentation were the most frequent; late complications were more frequent in patients ≤ 65 vs > 65 years of age (16,0% vs 10,2%). Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m(2)) was observed in 35,0% of the study population. Patients > 65 years of age had fewer comorbidities. The most common causes of reintervention were anastomosis dehiscence and postoperative hemorrhage. Mortality in the group was 6,6% and sepsis was the most frequent cause of death. CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal surgery in patients over 65 years of age has an acceptable complication frequency and a low mortality rate. Our results suggest that patients older than 65 years of age be treated with the same prospects for cure as younger patients.