FP3.15 - Are non-colorectal surgeons more likely to make a stoma in an emergency right hemicolectomy for cancer?

Introduction Right sided colonic cancers can often cause bowel obstruction and present as an emergency. The decision to perform an anastomois following a right hemicolectomy resection is frequently multifactorial. There is controversy as to whether colorectal cancers should be operated on by non-colorectal surgeons in the emergency setting. This study explores whether there are differences in stoma formation rates between colorectal and non-colorectal surgeons in the context of emergency right hemicolectomy operations performed for malignancy. Methods A retrospective study was conducted at a 3 site Trust in South East England between 2017 and 2022. Theatre and Infoflex Cancer records were used to obtain patients who had undergone an open right hemicolectomy for malignancy and their operating surgeon. Results There were 281 patients included in the study, in a 152:129 female:male ratio. The mean age was 68 (34-86 IQR). 13% (37/281) of operations were conducted by Upper Gastro-intestinal Surgeons. 54% (20/37) of these patients had stoma formation as part of their operation. 47% (115/244) of operations undertaken by colorectal surgeons also had stoma formation. There was no significant difference between the stoma formation between colorectal and non-colorectal surgeons (p=0.108) Conclusion The study shows that although the decision to form a stoma following a right hemicolectomy multifactorial and is dependent on a wealth of patient and operative factors, there is no statistical difference between colorectal and non-colorectal surgeons in the emergency setting.