Colorectal cancer audit: a comparative study before and after establishing a specialty colorectal surgery unit

OBJECTIVE: A prospective audit was kept for colorectal cancer after the establishment of a special-interest colorectal unit at a Melbourne metropolitan teaching hospital. METHODS: These data were compared with data collected retrospectively on surgical management of colorectal cancer by general surgeons in the hospital. RESULTS: The groups were well matched with respect to age, sex, pathological staging and elective vs urgent surgery. Differences were found in postoperative length of stay (9 vs 12 days, P = 0.01) in favour of the colorectal special interest group. Differences were found in the permanent stoma rate with regard to rectal cancer with the colorectal special interest group having a lower permanent stoma rate. CONCLUSION: Specialisation improved the results of treatment.