[Application of improved flushing method in anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer]

To investigate clinical effect of improved flushing method applied in anastomotic leakage (AL) aft er low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

We performed a retrospective study to analyze the therapeutic eff ect for 39 AL from 438 patients who received Dixon surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College. Among them, 23 patients received the traditional flushing method (the traditional group) and 16 received the improved flushing method (the improved group).

Th e rate of AL was 8.9% (39/438). All patients were cured with non-operative treatment. Th e cleanliness degree of the surrounding skin of drainage tube in the improved group was higher than that in the traditional group. Th e duration of average hospitalization and extubation of drainage tube was shorter in the improved group than that in the traditional group (P<0.05).

Compared with the traditional methods, the improved one is better for the AL patients. Both the patients themselves or their family members can chose it. The improved flushing method is worth to be spread in clinic.