Anastomotic Leakage after Colorectal Surgery: Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Options

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most severe and devastating complication of colorectal surgery. The objectives of this study were to identify the risk factors involved in the development of AL, evaluate diagnostic methods and explore therapeutic options in case of colorectal cancer surgery.

we conducted a retrospective study on 28 AL recorded after 315 elective colorectal cancer surgeries performed in 1st Surgery Clinic of Craiova over an 8-year period (2014-2022).

The overall incidence of AL was 8.88%. The identified risk factors were rectal cancer (22.38%), low anterior rectal resection (50%), open approach, advanced age (82.15% over 60 years old), male sex (3:1), and the presence of two or more co-morbidities. Medical conservative treatment was the primary line of treatment in all cases. Leakage closure was achieved in 22 cases (78.56%), with exclusive conservative treatment in 15 cases (46.42%) and combined conservative and surgical treatment in 7 cases (25.0%). Overall morbidity was recorded at 64.28%, with 8 cases of general evolving complications and 10 cases of local complications. General mortality was reported at 6 (21.42%), with 3 (16.66%) occurring after conservative treatment and 3 after re-interventions (30%).

our study identified advanced age, the presence of two or more co-morbidities, male sex, rectal surgery, and neoadjuvant chemoradiation as the most important risk factors for AL. Medical conservative treatment was the primary treatment modality, while reoperation was necessary in cases of uncontrollable sepsis and MODS. Mortality after re-intervention was nearly double compared to conservative treatment.