Does Red Cell Distribution Width Have a Predictive Role in Anastomotic Leak after Right Hemicolectomy for Colon...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a potential biomarker for nutritional and inflammatory status in surgical oncology.
• Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a significant complication after right hemicolectomy for colorectal cancer.
• The predictive role of RDW for AL after right hemicolectomy is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prognostic significance of RDW in predicting anastomotic leakage (AL) after right hemicolectomy for colorectal cancer.
• To assess the association of RDW with postoperative complications and survival outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 234 patients undergoing right or extended right hemicolectomy for colorectal cancer.
• Analysis of demographic, surgical, histopathological, and laboratory data.
• Grading of postoperative complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

Main Results:

• Anastomotic leakage (AL) occurred in 3.4% of patients; RDW was not an independent predictor.
• Elevated RDW-fL (>46.1 fL) was associated with older age, higher ASA scores, lower hemoglobin and albumin, and higher C-reactive protein.
• High RDW-fL independently predicted major postoperative complications, shorter overall survival, and failure to complete adjuvant therapy.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative RDW did not predict anastomotic leakage (AL) but was associated with adverse postoperative outcomes.
• RDW is linked to major complications, poorer survival, and incomplete adjuvant treatment in colorectal cancer surgery.
• RDW may serve as a cost-effective biomarker for perioperative risk stratification in colorectal cancer surgery.