AbstractBackgroundAnastomotic Leakage Research Articles

Changes in Clinical Practice Reduce the Rate of Anastomotic Leakage After Colorectal Resections

BackgroundAnastomotic leakage is a serious clinical problem after colorectal resections and is associated with a significantly increased length of stay, morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of changes in clinical practice on anastomotic leakage rate after colorectal resections.MethodsRetrospective cohort study based on prospectively collected data. All 894 patients with primary anastomosis after colorectal resection at a tertiary referral center between 2006 and 2013 were analyzed. Changes in clinical practice aiming at reducing the rate of anastomotic leakages were introduced in January 2010 and were characterized by exclusion of perioperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, introduction of intra-operative goal-directed fluid therapy and avoidance of primary anastomoses in emergency resections. The study population was divided into two groups, one treated before and one after the introduction of changes in clinical practice. Groups were compared regarding patient characteristics and incidence of anastomotic leakage.ResultsThe cumulative incidence of anastomotic leakage after colorectal resections decreased from 10.0% (41 of 409) to 4.5% (22 of 485) after changing clinical practice, relative risk 0.45 (95% CI 0.27–0.75, p = 0.002). The adjusted odds ratio was 0.45 (0.26–0.78, p = 0.004). A separate analysis showed a decrease after colon resections from 9.1% (23 of 252) to 4.5% (14 of 310), relative risk 0.49 (0.26–0.94, p = 0.039), and from 11.5% (18 of 157) to 4.6% (8 of 175) after rectal resections, relative risk 0.40 (0.18–0.89, p = 0.024).ConclusionImplementing a structured change of clinical practice can significantly reduce the anastomotic leakage rate after colorectal resections.Trial registrationClinical trial registration number: ACTRN12617001497392.

Successful treatment of refractory complete separation of an esophagojejunal anastomosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy: a case report

BackgroundAnastomotic leakage after total gastrectomy occurs despite improvements in surgical techniques and patient management. Although many cases of dehiscence can be managed non-operatively, major leakage requires a second surgery and can potentially lead to death. Therefore, accurate and immediate diagnosis and treatment are essential.Case presentationIn this report, we describe a 66-year-old Japanese man who was diagnosed with a complete separation of an esophagojejunal anastomosis after laparoscopic total gastrectomy with oral contrast radiography using Gastrografin®. The severe complication was successfully treated by re-anastomosis after two emergency drainage surgeries. After the second surgery, the esophageal end formed a fistula with the jejunum, but balloon dilation failed to open the fistula. Therefore, oral ingestion and conservative treatment were considered unsuitable, and we performed esophagojejunal re-anastomosis 7 months after the first surgery. At a follow-up examination 2 years after re-anastomosis, the patient weighed 47 kg, and his ingestion had recovered to 80% of that before surgery.ConclusionsComplete separation of an esophagojejunal anastomosis is a rare but severe complication of total gastrectomy. Therefore, we consider that once separation is diagnosed, aggressive and urgent re-operation and effective drainage are useful. Moreover, it is necessary to take great care to minimize the operative morbidity associated with esophagojejunal anastomosis.

Randomized clinical trial of biodegradeable intraluminal sheath to prevent anastomotic leak after stapled colorectal anastomosis.

Anastomotic leakage is a potential major complication after colorectal surgery. The C-seal was developed to help reduce the clinical leakage rate. It is an intraluminal sheath that is stapled proximal to a colorectal anastomosis, covering it intraluminally and thus preventing intestinal leakage in case of anastomotic dehiscence. The C-seal trial was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of the C-seal in reducing anastomotic leakage in stapled colorectal anastomoses. This RCT was performed in 41 hospitals in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Hungary and Spain. Patients undergoing elective surgery with a stapled colorectal anastomosis less than 15 cm from the anal verge were eligible. Included patients were randomized to the C-seal and control groups, stratified for centre, anastomotic height and intention to create a defunctioning stoma. Primary outcome was anastomotic leakage requiring invasive treatment. Between December 2011 and December 2013, 402 patients were included in the trial, 202 in the C-seal group and 200 in the control group. Anastomotic leakage was diagnosed in 31 patients (7·7 per cent), with a 10·4 per cent leak rate in the C-seal group and 5·0 per cent in the control group (P = 0·060). Male sex showed a trend towards a higher leak rate (P = 0·055). Construction of a defunctioning stoma led to a lower leakage rate, although this was not significant (P = 0·095). C-seal application in stapled colorectal anastomoses does not reduce anastomotic leakage. Registration number: NTR3080 (http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/index.asp).

Sa2007 Intestinal Microbiota and Anastomotic Leakage of Stapled Colorectal Anastomoses

Background Anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal surgery is a severe complication, resulting in morbidity, reinterventions, prolonged hospital stay and, in some cases, death. Some technical and patient-related aetiological factors of AL are well established. In many cases, however, none of these factors seem to explain the occurrence of AL. Recent studies suggest that the intestinal microbiome plays a role in wound healing, diabetes and Crohn’s disease. The aim of this study was to compare the intestinal microbiota of patients who developed AL with matched patients with healed colorectal anastomoses. Methods We investigated the microbiome in the doughnuts collected from 16 patients participating in the C-seal trial. We selected eight patients who developed AL requiring reintervention and eight matched controls without AL. We analysed the bacterial 16S rDNA of both groups with MiSeq sequencing. Results The abundance of Lachnospiraceae is statistically higher (P = 0.001) in patient group who did develop AL, while microbial diversity levels were higher in the group who did not develop AL (P = 0.037). Body mass index (BMI) was also positively associated with the abundance of the Lachnospiraceae family (P = 0.022). Conclusion A correlation between the bacterial family Lachnospiraceae, low microbial diversity and anastomotic leakage, possibly in association with the BMI, was found. The relative abundance of the Lachnospiraceae family is possibly explained by the higher abundance of mucin-degrading Ruminococci within that family in AL cases (P = 0.011) as is similarly the case in IBD.

The Effects of Human Amniotic Membrane on Healing of Colonic Anastomosis in Dogs

Background Anastomotic leakage is claimed to be responsible for about one third of deaths following colon surgeries. Therefore, research on applied materials that may prevent leakage and improve healing requires more attention. Objectives This study was conducted to determine surgical and histological outcomes of applying human amniotic membrane (HAM) in colonic anastomosis in dogs. Materials and Methods Eight cross-breed male dogs were divided into two equal groups. After anesthesia and exploration, 5cm of left colon was resected, and end-to-end anastomosis was performed in a single layer. In the treatment group (B), HAM patch measuring 2×3 cm was wrapped around the anastomotic line. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the results in the two groups due to small sample size, and normal distribution of data was examined using the kolmogorov-simirnov test (P = 0.03). Results Modified scoring system for surgical wound healing was used to identify the grade of healing in all samples. The healing score was significantly higher in the HAM group (P = 0.01). Conclusions HAM plays a positive role in healing of colonic anastomosis, and would lead to better histological outcomes compared to simple anastomosis in dogs.

Randomized clinical trial of pancreaticogastrostomy versus pancreaticojejunostomy on the rate and severity of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Anastomotic leakage of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) remains the single most important source of morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The primary aim of this randomized clinical trial comparing PG with PJ after PD was to test the hypothesis that invaginated PG would result in a lower rate and severity of pancreatic fistula. Patients undergoing PD were randomized to receive either a duct-to-duct PJ or a double-layer invaginated PG. The primary endpoint was the rate of pancreatic fistula, using the definition of the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula. Secondary endpoints were the evaluation of severe abdominal complications (Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa or above), endocrine and exocrine function. Of 123 patients randomized, 58 underwent PJ and 65 had PG. The incidence of pancreatic fistula was significantly higher following PJ than for PG (20 of 58 versus 10 of 65 respectively; P = 0.014), as was the severity of pancreatic fistula (grade A: 2 versus 5 per cent; grade B-C: 33 versus 11 per cent; P = 0.006). The hospital readmission rate for complications was significantly lower after PG (6 versus 24 per cent; P = 0.005), weight loss was lower (P = 0.025) and exocrine function better (P = 0.022). The rate and severity of pancreatic fistula was significantly lower with this PG technique compared with that following PJ. ISRCTN58328599 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).

Cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibitors and the risk of anastomotic leakage after fast-track colonic surgery

Anastomotic leakage occurs after 3-6 per cent of colonic resections. The influence of analgesic agents is largely unknown. This study determined the rate of anastomotic leakage in a series of patients who had colonic surgery over a 9-year period with or without use of a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor for postoperative analgesia. Patients with anastomotic leakage following a standard fast-track procotol between April 1997 and May 2006 were identified from a prospective, consecutive database. During this period there were two changes in perioperative management: cessation of preoperative oral bowel preparation in August 2002 and the use of celecoxib for postoperative analgesia between May 2003 and November 2004. Rates of anastomotic leakage during the various periods were determined and compared. Some 28 (5.6 per cent) of 502 patients had an anastomotic leak. The incidence of leakage increased significantly during the period of celecoxib use (15.1 per cent), versus 3.3 and 1.5 per cent respectively before and after celecoxib use (P < 0.001). Leakage rates were similar with or without oral bowel preparation (3.5 versus 1.7 per cent respectively; P = 0.346) when celecoxib was not used. A detrimental effect of celecoxib on anastomotic healing is suggested, and requires further evaluation.

Laparoscopic reintervention for anastomotic leakage after primary laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Anastomotic leakage is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to assess the potential benefits of a laparoscopic reintervention for anastomotic leakage after primary laparoscopic surgery. Between January 2003 and January 2006, ten patients who had laparoscopic colorectal resection and later developed anastomotic leakage had a laparoscopic reintervention. A second group included 15 patients who had relaparotomy after primary open surgery. Patient characteristics were comparable in the two groups. The median time from first operation to reintervention was 6 days in both groups. There were no conversions. The intensive care stay was shorter in the laparoscopic group (1 versus 3 days; P = 0.002). Resumption of a normal diet (median 3 versus 6 days; P = 0.031) and first stoma output (2 versus 3 days; P = 0.041) occurred earlier in the laparoscopic group. The postoperative 30-day morbidity rate was lower (four of ten patients versus 12 of 15; P = 0.087) and hospital stay was shorter (median 9 versus 13 days; P = 0.058) in the laparoscopic group. No patient developed incisional hernia in the laparoscopic group compared with five of 15 in the open group (P = 0.061). These data suggest that laparoscopic reintervention for anastomotic leakage after primary laparoscopic surgery is associated with less morbidity, faster recovery and fewer abdominal wall complications than relaparotomy.

Impact of anastomotic leakage on oncological outcome after rectal cancer resection

: Anastomotic leakage has a major impact on morbidity and mortality in rectal cancer surgery. Its relevance to oncological outcome is controversial. This observational study investigated the influence of anastomotic leakage on oncological outcome. : Data for 1741 patients undergoing curative resection of rectal cancer (located less than 12 cm from the anal verge) with normal healing were compared with those for 303 patients who experienced anastomotic leakage. Morbidity, mortality and long-term oncological outcomes were analysed. : Median follow-up was 40 months. Patients with anastomotic leakage had a higher postoperative mortality rate than those with no leakage (4.3 versus 1.2 per cent; P < 0.001). Patients with leakage necessitating surgical treatment had a higher 5-year local recurrence rate (17.5 versus 10.1 per cent; P = 0.006) and a lower 5-year disease-free survival rate (70.9 versus 75.4 per cent; P = 0.020) than those without leakage. Patients with anastomotic leakage not requiring surgical intervention did not have a worse oncological outcome. : A negative prognostic impact of anastomotic leakage on local recurrence and disease-free survival was found only for patients with leakage needing surgical revision.

The effect of erythropoietin on healing of obstructive vs nonobstructive left colonic anastomosis: an experimental study

BackgroundAnastomotic leakage is an important problem following primary resection in the left colon and is even more prominent when obstruction is present. We aimed to evaluate the possible effects of erythropoietin on the healing of anastomosis under both obstructive and non-obstructive states.MethodsForty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. In group I, two cm left colonic resection and primary anastomosis were done. In group II, left colon were completely ligated and 24 hours later animals were re-operated for segmental resection. The same procedures were performed for rats in group III and IV in respect to group I and II and, 500 IU/kg a day erythropoietin were given in the latter two groups for seven days. For the quantative description of anastomotic healing mechanical, biochemical and histopathological parameters were employed on the seventh day and the animals were sacrificied.ResultsAlthough erythropoietin had positive effects on bursting pressure in group IV when compared to group II, it has no effect in group III. Despite the increased tissue hydroxyproline levels in group IV, erythropoietin failed to show any effects in group III.Erythropoietin had positive effects on neovascularization, fibroblast proliferiation and storage of collagen in group IV.ConclusionWe failed to find any direct and evident effects of erythropoietin on healing of left colonic anastomosis. On the other hand, erythropoietin might prevent negative effects of obstruction on healing.

Risk factors for anastomotic failure after total mesorectal excision of rectal cancer

Anastomotic leakage is a major complication of rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with symptomatic anastomotic leakage after total mesorectal excision (TME). Between 1996 and 1999, patients with operable rectal cancer were randomized to receive short-term radiotherapy followed by TME or to undergo TME alone. Eligible Dutch patients who underwent an anterior resection (924 patients) were studied retrospectively. Symptomatic anastomotic leakage occurred in 107 patients (11.6 per cent). Pelvic drainage and the use of a defunctioning stoma were significantly associated with a lower anastomotic failure rate. A significant correlation between the absence of a stoma and anastomotic dehiscence was observed in both men and women, for both distal and proximal rectal tumours. In patients with anastomotic failure, the presence of pelvic drains and a covering stoma were both related to a lower requirement for surgical reintervention. Placement of one or more pelvic drains after TME may limit the consequences of anastomotic failure. The clinical decision to construct a defunctioning stoma is supported by this study.