[Protective transanal tube in colo-rectal anastomosis]

A particular issue of colo-rectal resection is represented by the great frequency of anastomotic dehiscences, which the medical literature has shown to vary between 3.25% and 30%. This justifies the surgical interest in perfecting methods aimed at reducing the frequency of this complication. One of these methods is the protective ileo- or colostomy, which has successfully reduced the frequency of dehiscences down to 4%. To the same propose a method that has been documented in previous literature and which consists of inserting an endoanal protective tube, above the anastomosis. The tube is connected to a plastic pouch and is maintained for 3-6 days, until transit has resumed. By applying this method to 38 cases, we noted only two cases (5.2%) of anastomotic leakage with small output, which were solved spontaneously after a few days. The basic nature and efficiency of this method have lead us to propose it as an alternative procedure to protective ileo- or colostomy. This method has the advantage of preventing further procedures. The quality of life of these patients is appreciably improved.