[Anastomotic Leakage in the Gastrointestinal Tract: Surgical Versus Nonoperative Management]

Most procedures in gastrointestinal (GI) surgery require reconstruction with an anastomosis. Depending on the location within the GI tract, the perfusion and comorbidities of the patients there is a risk for anastomotic leakage. In case of peritonitis with sepsis usually a surgical treatment is required. A stable patient can be treated nonoperatively. In the following overview different treatment options of anastomotic leakage after surgery of the GI tract are described. In case of a leakage of an esophagojejunal or esophagogastric anastomosis after resection of the esophagus or stomach endoscopic treatment can be successful using either clip or stent or negative pressure therapy (NPT). After surgery of the rectum the use of endoluminal NPT has shown good results in case of anastomotic leakage. Nonoperative management of anastomotic leakage can be successful in a stable patient and requires intensive cooperation in an interdisciplinary team with experts in surgery, endoscopy, radiology and intensive care.