[Nonelective colorectal surgery. Does age determine the results?].
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of age on the morbi-mortality after non-elective colorectal surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SUBJECTS: 150 consecutive patients who underwent non-elective colorectal surgery between 1986 and 1992 [65 patients aged under 70 years (Group I)] and 85 patients aged 70 years or over (Group II)]. RESULTS: Using multiple regression analysis we have found: 1) Mortality is determined by the presence of associated risk factors (p < 0.001 tv = 4.11), the presence of peritonitis (p < 0.05 tv = 2.08) and by the admission-operation interval (p < 0.05 tv = 2.10). 2) Overall morbidity increases with age (p < 0.01, tv = 3.22) and the benign nature of the colorectal disease (p < 0.05, tv = 2.00). CONCLUSION: Age does not influence mortality in non-elective colorectal surgery even though it is a determinant risk factor in morbidity increase.