Successful Management of Ileorectal Anastomotic Disruption With Off-Label Use of Endoscopic Covered Metallic Stent

Colorectal surgery poses significant risks, with anastomotic disruption being a severe complication. Traditional management involves surgical intervention, contributing to postoperative morbidity and mortality. In this brief report, we present a 54-year-old woman with a history of diverticulitis, multiple surgeries, and anastomotic leak following ileorectal anastomosis. Attempts at managing anastomotic leaks with more minimally invasive approaches have been successful in esophageal surgery with the use of covered metallic stents. However, this approach has been rarely attempted for the management of colorectal anastomotic leaks. Instead of conventional surgical approaches, we employed an off-label use of an endoscopic covered metallic stent, WallFlex™, to successfully manage the anastomotic disruption. The patient's recovery was uneventful, highlighting the potential role of stents in select cases.