COMPASS study

Colorectal cancer is the second most common (women) and third most common (men) malignant disease in Germany. Acute colorectal obstruction occurs in 7 to 29% of patients with colorectal cancer and is one of the most common causes of surgical emergencies.

The standard treatment for this condition is emergency surgery, in which the affected section of bowel is removed. However, emergency surgery is associated with a high risk of postoperative complications and mortality. Data from recent studies indicate that both mortality and postoperative complications are reduced if patients are operated on in a two-stage procedure.

As part of this two-stage procedure, patients first have an artificial bowel outlet (stoma) created to relieve the bowel. As soon as the patient has recovered from the consequences of the acute bowel obstruction, a second operation is performed in which the tumour causing the bowel obstruction is removed and, in the best case, the artificial anus is also repositioned. This procedure may reduce mortality.

In addition, data shows that a minimally invasive approach is possible more frequently with this two-stage procedure and complications/long-term consequences such as a permanent artificial bowel outlet are significantly reduced.