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Case presentation
A 72-year-old woman is admitted to the surgical ward for an elective open right hemicolectomy. PMH. She was found to have caecal carcinoma eight weeks ago. DH. She completed a short course of preoperative radiotherapy several days ago. She has already been prescribed sufficient pharmacological venous thromboembolism prophylaxis to cover the period up to 24 hours post-operation and has been advised to wear anti-embolism stockings. FH. Her grandfather died of colorectal carcinoma in his 80s. SH. She has a 50-pack-year smoking history but gave up 6 weeks ago.
On examination
Routine observations are normal. She has a body mass index of 21 kg/m2.
Investigations
Hb 125 g/L (115-165), MCV 79 fL (80-96), WCC 6.6 x 109/L (4.0-11.0). Serum biochemistry and liver function tests normal. Contrast enhanced CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis shows no distal metastasis.
The operation is a success and all solid tumour is resected.