Colorectal anastomotic leakage corrected by transanal laparoscopy

Area of Science:

• Colorectal surgery
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Surgical innovation

Background:

• Transanal laparoscopy is gaining interest for various colorectal procedures.
• It offers potential for treating complications like anastomotic leakage.
• Laparoscopic anterior resection of the rectum can lead to leakage.

Observation:

• Two patients with colorectal anastomosis leakage after laparoscopic anterior resection were treated transanally.
• A novel reusable transanal platform (DAPRI) facilitated ergonomic laparoscopic suturing via the anus.
• Leakage occurred intra-operatively in one patient and 4 weeks post-operatively in the other.

Findings:

• Transanal repair procedures were completed in 60 and 45 minutes.
• Both patients demonstrated complete anastomotic healing at 2 months, confirmed by radiology and endoscopy.
• Satisfactory anal function was reported post-procedure with no incontinence or sepsis.

Implications:

• Transanal laparoscopy provides a safe and effective treatment for colorectal anastomosis leakage.
• The new reusable transanal platform enhances surgical ergonomics and cost-effectiveness.
• This approach may become a valuable option for managing post-resection complications.