Early prediction of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery by measuring peritoneal cytokines: Prospective study

Abstract Purpose Even though anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery is a major clinical problem in need of a timely diagnosis, early indicators of leakage have been insufficiently studied. We therefore conducted a population-based observational study to determine whether the patient’s early postoperative pain is an independent marker of anastomotic leakage. Methods By combining the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry and the Swedish Perioperative Registry, we retrieved prospectively collected data on 3084 patients who underwent anastomotic colorectal surgery for cancer in 2014–2017. Postoperative pain, measured with the numerical rating scale (NRS), was considered exposure, while anastomotic leakage and reoperation due to leakage were outcomes. We performed logistic regression to evaluate associations, estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), while multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. Results In total, 189 patients suffered from anastomotic leakage, of whom 121 patients also needed a reoperation due to leakage. Moderate or severe postoperative pain (NRS 4–10) was associated with an increased risk of anastomotic leakage (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.21–2.38), as well as reoperation (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.41–3.32). Severe pain (NRS 8–10) was more strongly related to leakage (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.44–3.93). These associations were confirmed in multivariable analyses and when reoperation due to leakage was used as an outcome. Conclusion In this population-based retrospective study on prospectively collected data, increased pain in the post-anaesthesia care unit is an independent marker of anastomotic leakage, possibly indicating a need for further diagnostic measures.

Download Full-text

Markers of Perioperative Bowel Complications in Colorectal Surgery Patients

Disease Markers ◽

10.1155/2015/428535 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Radomír Hyšpler ◽

Alena Tichá ◽

Milan Kaška ◽

Lenka Žaloudková ◽

Lenka Plíšková ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Surgery ◽

Anastomotic Leakage ◽

Intestinal Resection ◽

Specific Marker ◽

Exhaled Breath ◽

Fatty Acid Binding ◽

Gastrointestinal Complications ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

The Difference ◽

Low Sensitivity

Colorectal cancer is a clinical condition whose treatment often involves intestinal resection. Such treatment frequently results in two major gastrointestinal complications after surgery: anastomotic leakage and prolonged ileus. Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication which, more often than not, is diagnosed late; to date, C-reactive protein is the only available diagnostic marker. A monocentric, prospective, open case-control study was performed in patients(n=117)undergoing colorectal surgery. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (i-FABP), citrulline, D-lactate, exhaled hydrogen,Escherichia coligenomic DNA, and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) were determined preoperatively, postoperatively, and on the following four consecutive days. Bacterial DNA was not detected in any sample, and i-FABP and D-lactate lacked any distinct potential to detect postoperative bowel complications. Exhaled breath hydrogen content showed unacceptably low sensitivity. However, citrulline turned out to be a specific marker for prolonged ileus on postoperative days 3-4. Using a cut-off value of 20 μmol/L, a sensitivity and specificity of ~75% was achieved on postoperative day 4. IMA was found to be an efficient predictor of anastomosis leak by calculating the difference between preoperative and postoperative values. This test had 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity and 100% negative and 20% positive predictive value.

Download Full-text