Clinical Factors Contributing to Anastomotic Leak After Mid-to-High Colorectal Anastomosis

Background Low colorectal anastomoses carry a high anastomotic leak (AL) rate (up to 20%) and thus are commonly diverted. Much less is known about mid-to-high colorectal anastomosis, which carries a leak rate of 2-4%. The objective of this study was to determine our AL rate after mid-to-high colorectal anastomosis and associated risk factors. Methods A single center retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing left colonic resections with mid-to-high colorectal anastomosis (≥7 cm from the anal verge) from January 2008 to October 2017 was utilized. Main outcome, AL, defined as clinical suspicion supported by radiological or intraoperative findings, was calculated and risk factors assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results 977 patients were included; 487 (49.9%) were male, with a mean age of 59.8 (+/−12.1) years. Mean BMI was 27.5 (+/−5.5) kg/m2. Diverticular disease (67.5%), malignancy (17.4%), and inflammatory bowel disease (2.2%) were the main indications for resection. Mean length of stay was 6.7 (+/−4.5) days. 455 (46.8%) colonic resections were performed by laparoscopy, 283 (29.1%) by hand assisted surgery, 219 (22.5%) by laparotomy, and 16 (1.6%) by robotics. Majority of patients had complete donuts (99.6%) and a negative air leak test (97.7%). 149 patients (15.3%) underwent construction of a diverting stoma. The overall AL rate was 2.1% (n = 20). Increased BMI (>30 kg/m2), P = .02, was an independent risk factor for AL and a trend observed for positive air leak tests ( P = .05), with other factors failing to achieve statistical significance. Conclusions Patients with mid-to-high colorectal anastomosis have a 2% AL risk. Increased BMI was a risk factor for AL.

Modern views on the problem of the sutures insufficiency of colorectal anastomoses

Modern views on the problem of the sutures insufficiency of colorectal anastomoses

Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography for Reduction of Anastomotic Leakage After Rectal Cancer Surgery

Background Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography is a new technique that help surgeons to assess the blood perfusion of the anastomotic intestine. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether ICG fluorescence angiography can reduce the anastomotic leakage (AL) rate after colorectal anastomoses for rectal cancer (RC) patients. Methods Studies comparing AL rates between use and nonuse of ICG fluorescence angiography up to April 2020 were systematically searched from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. A pooled analysis was performed for the available data regarding the baseline features, AL rate, and other surgical outcomes. ReMan 5.3 software was used to perform the statistical analysis. Quality evaluation and publication bias were also conducted. Results Thirteen studies with a total of 2593 patients (1121 in the ICG group and 1472 in the control group) undergoing colorectal anastomoses after RC surgery were included. In the pooled analysis, the baseline data, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss in 2 groups were all comparable and without significant heterogeneity. However, the AL rate in the ICG group was significantly lower (OR .31; 95% CI .22-.44; P < .00001) than that in the control group. Additionally, ICG fluorescence angiography was associated with a decreased overall complication rate (OR .60; 95% CI .47-.76; P < .0001) in patients who undergo RC surgery. Conclusions The present study revealed that ICG fluorescence angiography reduced AL rate after colorectal anastomoses for RC patients. However, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this benefit.

Standard versus eversion-modified double-staple technique for low colorectal anastomoses after resection of rectal cancer

Purpose The double-staple technique, performed as either the standard procedure or after eversion of the rectal stump, is a well-established method of performing low colorectal anastomoses following the resection of rectal cancer. Eversion of the tumor-bearing ano-rectal stump was proposed to allow the linear stapler to be fired at a safe distance of clearance from the tumor. We conducted this study to compare the results of the standard versus the eversion-modified double-staple technique. Methods The subjects of this retrospective study were 753 consecutive patients who underwent low stapled colorectal anastomosis after resection of rectal cancer. The patients were divided into two groups according to the method of anastomosis used: Group A comprised 165 patients (22%) treated with the modified eversion technique and group B comprised 588 patients (78%) treated with the standard technique. The primary endpoints of the study were postoperative mortality, surgery-related morbidity, the number of sampled lymph nodes in the mesorectum, and late disease-related survival. Results Postoperative mortality was 1.2% in group A and 1.7% in group B (p = 0.66). Postoperative morbidity was 12% in group A and 11% in group B (p = 0.75). The mean number of sampled lymph nodes in the mesorectum was 23 (range 17–27) in group A and 24 (range 19–29) in group B (p = 0.06). The 5-year disease-related survival was 73% in group A and 74% in group B (p = 0.75). Conclusion The standard and eversion-modified double-staple techniques yield comparable results.

ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES FOR COLORECTAL ANASTOMOSES STRICTURES (review)

In the review data concerning modern methods of endoscopic treatment of colonic strictures are presented.Relevance of this problem, reasons for the development, clinical picture and methods of endoscopic procedures for strictures are presented in detail.The analysis of Russian and foreign literature with an assessment of the effectiveness and feasibility of various methods of treatment of strictures has been done. Despite the variety of ways of existing methods of stricture’s treatment, there are still no evidence-based data on the efficiency and safety of various endoscopic approaches.Thus, there are a number of unresolved topical issues that require further research.