Risk Factors For Anastomotic Complications Research Articles

Single-stapled colorectal anastomotic techniques: Do not cross the line.

The double-stapled technique is the most common method of colorectal anastomosis. Despite its widespread use, emerging data suggests that this technique may be a risk factor for anastomotic complications, as it is believed that crossing staple lines and resultant dog-ears are potentially weak points that are prone to ischemia and anastomotic leak. Herein, we describe technical variations of single-stapled colorectal anastomoses which surgeons can readily adopt and integrate into their armamentarium of anastomotic techniques.

Anastomosis Complications after Bronchoplasty: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options Reported by a Referral Cancer Center.

Sleeve lobectomy with bronchoplasty is a safe surgical technique for the management of lung cancer and endobronchial localization of extrapulmonary cancers. However, anastomotic complications can occur, and treatment strategies are not standardized. Data from 280 patients subjected to bronchoplasty were retrospectively analyzed, focusing on surgical techniques, anastomotic complications, and their management. Multivariate analysis was performed, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine survival. Ninety percent of 280 surgeries were for lung cancer. Anastomotic complications occurred in 6.42% of patients: late stenosis in 3.92% and broncho-pleural fistula in 1.78%. The median survival was 65.90 months (95% CI = 41.76-90.97), with no difference (p = 0.375) for patients with (51.28 months) or without (71.03 months) anastomotic complications. Mortality at 30 days was higher with anastomotic complications (16.7% vs. 3%, p = 0.014). Multivariable analysis confirmed pathological stage (N+) as a risk factor for anastomotic complications (p = 0.016). Our mortality (3.93%) and morbidity rate (41.78%) corresponded to recent series results. In our experience, surgery is preferred to avoid life-threatening complications in bronchopleural fistulas. Bronchoscopic balloon dilatation is preferred for benign strictures. The nodal stage is related to complications (p = 0.0014), reflecting the aggressiveness of surgery, which requires extended radical lymphadenectomy.

Risk factors for anastomotic complications after one-stage anastomosis for oesophageal atresia

BackgroundOesophageal atresia is a congenital malformation of the oesophagus and a serious malformation of the digestive system, postoperative complications include acute respiratory failure, pneumonia, anastomotic fistula, anastomotic stenosis, tracheal stenosis, gastroesophageal reflux and eosinophilic oesophagitis, anastomotic fistula is one of the important causes of postoperative death. The objective of this study is to identify the risk factors for anastomotic complications after one-stage anastomosis for oesophageal atresia.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 107 children with congenital oesophageal atresia who underwent one-stage anastomosis in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2018. Single-factor and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for anastomotic fistula and anastomotic stenosis.ResultsA total of 107 children with oesophageal atresia underwent one-stage anastomosis, and the incidence of anastomotic fistula was 26.2%. The probability of anastomotic stenosis in the long term was 52.3%, and the incidence of refractory stenosis (dilation ≥5 times) was 13.1%. Analysis of the clinical count data in the anastomotic fistula group and non-anastomotic fistula group showed that preoperative albumin (F = 4.199, P = 0.043), low birth weight (F = 7.668, P = 0.007) and long gap defects (F = 6.107, P = 0.015) were risk factors for postoperative anastomotic fistula. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low birth weight (Wald2 = 4.499, P = 0.034, OR = 2.775) and long gap defects (Wald2 = 6.769, P = 0.009, OR = 4.939) were independent risk factors for postoperative anastomotic fistula. Premature delivery (F = 5.338, P = 0.023), anastomotic fistula (F = 11.381, P = 0.001), endoscopic surgery (F = 6.343, P = 0.013), preoperative neutrophil count (F = 8.602, P = 0.004), preoperative low albumin (F = 8.410, P = 0.005), and a preoperative prognostic nutritional index < 54 (F = 5.54, P = 0.02) were risk factors for refractory anastomotic stenosis in children. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative anastomotic fistula (Wald2 = 11.417, P = 0.001, OR = 8.798), endoscopic surgery (Wald2 = 9.633, P = 0.002, OR = 4.808), and a prognostic nutritional index < 54 (Wald2 = 4.540, P = 0.002, OR = 2.3798) were independent risk factors for refractory anastomotic stenosis.ConclusionLow birth weight and long gap defects are important predictors of postoperative anastomotic fistula, and the possibility of refractory anastomotic stenosis should be considered. The long-term risk of anastomotic stenosis was increased in children undergoing endoscopic surgery and in those with a preoperative prognostic nutritional index < 54.

Risk Factors for Anastomotic Complications After Radical McKeown Esophagectomy

Surgical resection with esophagogastric anastomosis is the preferred treatment for patients with esophageal cancer. This study aimed to investigate independent risk factors for anastomotic leakage and stricture in patients undergoing radical McKeown esophagectomy. This single-institution study retrospectively included 1300 patients who had undergone radical McKeown esophagectomy between March 2014 and July 2019. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors of anastomotic leakage and stricture. A point system for leakage was set up on the basis of multivariable regression model. Leakage occurred in 135 (10.4%) of the patients. Multivariable analyses showed that sex (male vs female, odds ratio [OR] 2.619), age (OR 1.038), preoperative albumin (OR 0.916), and width of gastric tube (5 cm vs 3 cm, OR 2.063) were associated with the risk of leakage. Stricture was noted in 335 (28.4%) of the 1178 patients and included grade I (258, 21.9%) and grade II (77, 6.5%). Multivariable analyses identified grade II (OR 2.195) or III (OR 12.001) leakage as an independent risk factor for stricture. A point system for risk factors was set up and associated with theoretical risk of leakage from 0.016 to 0.245 (c-statistic= 0.659). Male sex, older age, lower preoperative albumin, and 5-cm-wide gastric tube increased the risk for leakage development with cervical anastomosis. The grade of leakage was significantly associated with the formation of stricture. Valuing these factors could improve the perioperative strategy to prevent anastomotic complications.

Mechanotechnical faults and particular issues of anastomotic complications following robot-assisted anterior resection in 968 rectal cancer patients.

As most risk factors for anastomotic complications (AC) in rectal cancer patients appear to be noncorrectable, it is needed to find the correctable causes. Additionally, the outcomes of indocyanine-green fluorescence imaging (IFI) and robot-stapled anastomosis have yet been undetermined. This study retrospectively analyzed 968 consecutive patients with rectal cancer, who underwent curative robot-assisted anterior resections between 2010 and 2018. IFI parameters and stapling features in the surgical records were reviewed, and reconfirmed. AC occurred in 54 patients (5.6%), 34 (3.5%) with anastomotic leakage (AL) and 24 (2.5%) with anastomotic stenosis (AS). Mechanotechnical faults including defective stapling configurations, including angles lesser than or equal to 150° and outer deviation (more than half from the center of the circle) of linear staples, between the two linear staples were independently associated with AL (P < .001 each). IFI significantly reduced AL rate (2.5% vs 5.3%, P = .029) and AS rate (2% vs 18.8%, P = .006), respectively. Robot linear stapling enabled to maintain the obtuse angle during consecutive staplings and reduced console time. AL and AS were independent risk factors for disease-free survival (P = .02) and local recurrence (P = .03), respectively. AC were associated with some correctable causes, namely, mechanotechnical errors and lack of use of IFI.

Stoma formation for Crohn’s disease in the post‐biologic era, Ma et al.

Up to one-third of patients with Crohn’s disease will require major abdominal surgery over the first 5 years of their disease and most Crohn’s patients will have a Crohn’s related operation at some time in their lifetime 1. Nonetheless, as surgeons we notice a trend towards less referrals for operations for Crohn’s disease, where the patients tend to present later and often in a poorer condition. It has been suggested that this change in surgical practice is due to the introduction of biologic medications for Crohn’s disease in the first half of the 2000s. However, despite the increasing use of novel biologic agents, counterintuitively the incidence of Crohn’s disease related surgery does not appear to be reducing 2. A recent large population based cohort study from Alberta, Canada, showed a decrease in emergency surgery but an increase in elective surgery 3. This might explain why surgeons get the sense that the burden for Crohn’s related surgery is less. One could expect that more elective surgery is related to earlier referral, a better condition of the patient at the time of surgery and therefore less stoma formation. In this month’s Editor’s choice study, Ma et al., from the same Canadian group, are looking at trends in stoma formation after the introduction of biologics in management of Crohn’s disease 4. In order to assess the need for stoma creation in the biological era, the authors queried an administrative population database from their area, serving 1.4 million inhabitants. They identified 545 patients who underwent bowel resection and stoma formation for Crohn’s disease between 2002 and 2011. They found a time based reduction in stoma rates from 2.30 stomas per 100 person-years to 1.51 stomas per 100 person-years. The number of emergency and temporary stomas decreased over time, whereas the number of elective permanent stomas remained stable. Except for severe perianal fistulising disease, elective stoma formation for Crohn’s disease becomes necessary where primary anastomosis is technically impossible or if there is a high risk for anastomotic breakdown. Unfortunately, this study was not able to identify the reason the stoma was indicated 4. Well-known risk factors for anastomotic complications in Crohn’s patients include recurrent clinical episodes, steroid use, and malnutrition 5. Nowadays, gastroenterologists have a wide range of medical therapies available to avoid intestinal resection. This might cause a delay to progress to surgery, which may result in a progressively more complex disease phenotype at the time of surgery. If this delay occurs, the patient’s condition deteriorates, and this forces the surgeon to elect for a stoma to avoid an anastomotic complication. The study by Ma et al. reminds us of the importance of appropriate and timely surgery, especially in the biologic era. Therefore, the IBD surgeon should be involved in the management of the Crohn’s patient from the first onset of the disease, as a member of an IBD multidisciplinary team.

Reverse puncture device technique: an innovation of esophagojejunostomy in radical laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, short- and long-term efficacy of a reverse puncture device (RPD) technique for esophagojejunostomy in laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy. Patients & methods: This retrospective study analyzed outcome data of 104 patients in propensity score matching whom were divided into the RPD and the purse-string suture technique group. Results: The RPD group had a shorter anvil placement time, shorter operative time, longer resected esophageal length, shorter incision length, shorter postoperative drainage time, shorter postoperative hospital stay and anastomotic complications than the purse-string suture technique group (p <0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that BMI (odds ratio: 6.285, 1.446-27.322) and anvil placement time (odds ratio: 5.645, 1.089-29.321) were independent risk factors for anastomotic complications (p<0.05). Conclusion: Laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy using an RPD technique is feasible, safe and effective.

Surgical outcomes and risk assessment for anastomotic complications after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with double-flap technique for upper-third gastric cancer.

Double-flap technique (DFT) has received increased attention as an anastomotic procedure preventing reflux esophagitis after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) for upper-third gastric cancer. However, incidence of anastomotic stricture still remains high. This study was a retrospective review aimed to demonstrate details of surgical outcomes and to assess risk factors for anastomotic complications using pre-operative CT image after LPG with DFT (LPG-DFT). Patient background data, surgical outcomes, post-operative courses, and complications for patients who underwent LPG-DFT from January 2013 to June 2017 were collected. In addition to the details of short-term outcomes, risk factors for anastomotic stricture and gastroesophageal reflux were analyzed. The study sample was 147 patients, including 139 patients with upper-third gastric cancer and 8 patients with submucosal tumor of the upper-third stomach. The overall morbidity rate was 12.2% (18/147), and 97.3% (143/147) of the patients achieved R0 resection. Twelve (8.3%) patients required endoscopic balloon dilatation for anastomotic stenosis, and six (4.2%) suffered regurgitation grade ≥ B in the Los Angeles classification. Multivariate analysis revealed that diameter of the esophagus < 18mm on pre-operative CT image and the presence of short-term complications were found to be independent risk factors for post-operative anastomotic stenosis. No specific risk for gastroesophageal reflux was identified. The incidence rate of anastomotic complications after LPG-DFT was far lower than that reported after conventional esophagogastrostomy. Alternative anastomotic method may be considered for patients with diameter of the esophagus < 18mm on pre-operative CT image. Prevention of short-term complications may lessen post-operative stricture.

Postoperative CD4 counts predict anastomotic leaks in patients with penetrating abdominal trauma

IntroductionThe influence of trauma- and surgical stress-induced decrease of CD4 count on anastomotic leaks after penetrating abdominal trauma has to date not been investigated. A prospective study was performed to explore the effect of CD4 count 24 h after surgery on the anastomotic leak rate and to identify risk factors for anastomotic leaks. MethodsThis was a prospective study including 98 patients with small or large bowel resection and subsequent anastomosis due to penetrating abdominal trauma. Univariate analysis identified risk factors for the development of anastomotic leak and also investigated the predictive value of the CD4 count for this complication. ResultsOf the 98 patients 23 patients (23%) were HIV-infected. The overall leak rate was 13%. Univariate analysis including all potential risk factors with p-values<0.05 identified six factors leading to a significantly higher rate of anastomotic complications: postoperative CD4 count<250 cells/μl, postoperative albumin <30 g/L, penetrating abdominal trauma index≥25, gunshot wound as mechanism of injury, blood transfusion requirement >6units and delayed anastomosis after damage control surgery. Survival rates were analysed with the χ2 test and did not show a significantly higher mortality rate in patients with low CD4 count. The negative impact of trauma and subsequent surgery on the cell mediated immunity was demonstrated by the fact that 55 (73%) of the HIV-negative patients had a CD4 count less than 500 cells/μl 24 h postoperatively. HIV-infection had no significant influence on the leak rate, however all HIV infected patients that developed an anastomotic leak died. ConclusionA low post-operative CD4 count is a predictor for anastomotic leaks irrespective of HIV-serostatus. Low postoperative serum albumin, high injury severity, gunshot wound as mechanism of injury, blood transfusion requirement >6 units and delayed anastomosis were further risk factors for anastomotic complications. Postoperative CD4 count and serum albumin should be considered in the decision making process of performing an anastomosis or diverting stoma for patients after “clip and drop” of the bowel as part of damage control surgery.

AB002. Tracheal surgery

AB002. Tracheal surgery

Evaluation of the intraoperative risk factors for esophageal anastomotic complications after primary repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula.

The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors for esophageal anastomotic stricture (EAS) and/or anastomotic leakage (EAL) after primary repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) in infants. A retrospective chart review of 52 patients with congenital EA/TEF between January 2000 and December 2015 was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for anastomotic complications. Twenty-four patients were excluded from the analysis because they had insufficient data, trisomy 18 syndrome, delayed anastomosis, or multi-staged operations; the remaining 28 were included. Twelve patients (42.9%) had anastomotic complications. EAS occurred in 12 patients (42.9%), and one of them had EAL (3.57%). There was no correlation between anastomotic complications and birth weight, gestational weeks, sex, the presence of an associated anomaly, age at the time of repair, gap between the upper pouch and lower pouch of the esophagus, number of sutures, blood loss, and gastroesophageal reflux. Anastomosis under tension and tracheomalacia were identified as risk factors for anastomotic complications (odds ratio 15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53-390.0 and odds ratio 8, 95% CI 1.33-71.2, respectively). Surgeons should carefully perform anastomosis under less tension to prevent anastomotic complications in the primary repair of EA/TEF.

Anastomotic complications after robot-assisted laparoscopic and open radical prostatectomy

Objective Anastomotic complications are well known after radical prostatectomy (RP). The vesicourethral anastomotic technique is handled differently between open and robotic RP. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the frequency of anastomotic leakages and strictures differed between patients undergoing retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and to identify risk factors associated with these complications. Materials and methods The study included 735 consecutive patients who underwent RRP (n = 499) or RARP (236) at the Department of Urology, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, in a complete 3 year period from 2010 to 2012. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyse associations between surgical procedure (RRP vs RARP) and anastomotic complications. Analyses included age, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, surgeon, prostate volume and anastomotic leakage as variables. Owing to a low number of events, multivariable analyses only included smoking status, diabetes and prostate volume for anastomotic leakage, and age, smoking status, prostate volume and anastomotic leakage for anastomotic strictures. Results The frequency of anastomotic leakage was 2.9%. Anastomotic stricture was seen in 4.9% of patients during follow-up. No differences were found in the frequency of anastomotic leakage (p = 0.35) or strictures (p = 0.35) between RRP and RARP. Univariate analysis demonstrated an association between surgeon and the risk of anastomotic strictures in RRP patients (p = 0.02). No other independent risk factors were identified. Conclusion Overall, the anastomotic complication rate in this cohort is similar to other published reports. No obvious risk factors for anastomotic complications could be identified, which in part was due to the low number of events.

Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: Factors Affecting Outcome After Single-Stage Repair

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis is a rare inflammatory condition affecting the subglottic larynx. We have treated 263 patients (only 2 were male) with this condition. The purpose of this study is to determine factors affecting outcome and predisposing to complications. Information was gathered from chart reviews, surveys, and a prospective database. Median time from diagnosis to surgery was 24 months. Antinuclear antibodies when measured were positive in 76 patients (47%). Prior tracheal procedures were done in 58 patients (22%), and 184 patients (70%) had prior endoscopic procedures. Resection of the posterior cricoid mucosa with tracheal membranous wall flap was done in 150 patients (57%). Tailored cricoplasty was performed in 105 patients (40%). Extubation in the operating room was achieved in 247 patients (94%). Steroid therapy for edema was required in 63 patients (24%). Anastomotic complications occurred in 30 patients, 17 granulations and 7 subcutaneous air. Twenty-three patients (8.7%) have recurrence (14 mild, 9 recalcitrant) requiring dilation. Risk factors for anastomotic complications and recurrence were edema requiring steroids, use of mitomycin C, and prior tracheostomy, stents, and vocal cord involvement. Follow-up was available for 227 patients. Follow-up survey of 180 patients revealed, on a 10-point scale, effectiveness 9.4, satisfaction 9.4, and symptom improvement 9.4. A normal voice was present in 82 patients (45%); 96 patients (54%) had change in voice; and 121 patients (67%) had difficulty projecting their voice. Single-stage reconstructive surgery resulted in 96% good-to-excellent results. Recalcitrant stenosis developed in 4% of patients. Stents, postoperative edema, mitomycin use, and vocal cord involvement are risks for recurrence. Recurrence was related to reactivation of disease in 14 patients and to technical problems in 6 patients.

Hepatic Artery Reconstruction in Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Risk Factor Analysis of Complication and a Role of MDCT Scan for Detecting Anastomotic Stricture

In partial liver transplantation, reconstruction of the hepatic artery is technically highly demanding and the incidence of arterial complications is high. We attempted to identify the risk factors for anastomotic complications after hepatic artery reconstruction and examined the role of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in the evaluation of the reconstructed hepatic artery in liver transplant recipients. A total of 109 adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantations (LDLT) were performed at our institute between 1999 and July 2011. Hepatic artery reconstruction was performed under a surgical microscope (MS group, n = 84), until we began to adopt surgical loupes (4.5×) for arterial reconstructions in all cases after January 2009 (SL group, n = 25). A dynamic MDCT study was prospectively carried out on postoperative days 7, 14, and 28, and at postoperative month 3, 6, and 12 after April 2005 (n = 60). There were no cases of hepatic artery thrombosis and six cases (5.5 %) of interventional radiology-confirmed hepatic artery stenosis (HAS). Risk factor analysis for HAS showed that ABO-incompatible LDLT was associated with HAS. Use of surgical loupes provided superior results as compared to anastomosis under a surgical microscope, and it also provided the advantage of reduced operative time. The MDCT procedure was useful for detecting HAS; however, the false positive rate was relatively high until 3 months after the LDLT (100 % sensitivity and 72.8 % specificity at 3 months). Hepatic arterial anastomosis using surgical loupes tended to be time-saving and to yield similar or better results than traditional microscope-anastomosis. The use of MDCT aided the diagnosis of HAS, although the substantial false positive rate should be borne in mind in clinical practice.

Risk Factors for Anastomotic Complications After Resection for Crohn’s Disease

Risk Factors for Anastomotic Complications After Resection for Crohn’s Disease

Sacrificing the pulmonary arterial branch to the spared lobe is a risk factor of bronchopleural fistula in sleeve lobectomy after chemoradiotherapy

A sleeve lobectomy is a widely accepted procedure for enabling the pulmonary parenchyma to be spared. Induction chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery is one treatment option for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but CRT is considered to have a negative effect on subsequent surgery, especially for anastomotic healing. In this study, we describe our experience performing sleeve lobectomies and the associated anastomotic complications after induction CRT. The medical records of NSCLC patients who underwent surgery after receiving CRT were reviewed. The relationships between anastomotic complications and clinicopathological factors were examined. Between December 1998 and October 2011, a total of 104 patients received CRT followed by surgery. Among them, 14 NSCLC patients underwent a bronchial sleeve resection: nine patients underwent a right upper lobe resection, two patients underwent a left lingular division and lower lobe resection and one patient each underwent a right lower lobe, a right upper and middle lobe and a right middle and lower lobe resection. A bronchopleural fistula at the anastomosis occurred in two patients. A pulmonary arterial (PA) branch to the spared lobe had been sacrificed in both of these patients because of tumour involvement. In contrast, the PA branches to the spared lobes were preserved in 11 of the 12 patients who did not exhibit anastomotic complications (P = 0.033). Our experience strongly suggests that the sacrifice of the PA branch to the spared lobe is a possible risk factor for anastomotic complications for a sleeve lobectomy after induction CRT.

Circular Stapler Size and Risk of Anastomotic Complications in Gastroduodenostomy for Gastric Cancer

A Billroth I reconstruction with a mechanically sutured anastomosis is commonly performed in gastric cancer patients. Some surgeons prefer to use large circular staplers during suturing to minimize risks for anastomotic stricture and gastric stasis after surgery. The effect of stapler size on anastomotic complications has not been validated. This study was conducted with 1,031 patients who underwent gastrectomy and Billroth I reconstruction at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, Korea, between January 2007 and October 2008. Patients were assigned to group A (384 patients) or group B (647 patients) depending on the size of the circular stapler that the surgeon selected for mechanical anastomosis. A 25 mm circular stapler was used for patients in group A, and a 28 or 29 mm circular stapler was used for patients in group B. Postoperative complications were analyzed retrospectively. The incidence of complications (e.g., gastric stasis, anastomotic stricture, and bleeding) did not differ significantly between groups. Age greater than 60 years was the only significant risk factor for anastomotic complications identified in univariate and multivariate analyses. Stapler size was unrelated to complications, such as stricture and gastric stasis. Age was the only significant risk factor for anastomotic complications after gastroduodenostomy.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in colorectal surgery: A risk factor for anastomotic complications?

In a recent article, Gorissen et al report on 795 patients with primary colorectal anastomosis operated on during the period 2008-2010 for different colorectal conditions at two centres. The leakage rate was significantly higher among patients who were administered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the perioperative course. A dose-response relationship could also be traced, where longer NSAID use yielded a higher risk of anastomotic breakdown. However, as this study is observational in design, confounding by indication may be present and there is also a risk of residual confounding from unmeasured covariates. Moreover, the question whether different affinity for the cyclooxygenase enzyme is important in different NSAIDs seems to be largely unanswered. The results, conclusions and clinical relevance of the aforementioned study, including the possible effects of different types of NSAIDs, are discussed. While acknowledging that this study represents the best attempt so far in establishing the causal relationship between perioperative NSAID use and anastomotic leakage, the need for further research in this important area is underlined.

The Impact of Heavy Smoking on Anastomotic Leakage and Stricture After Low Anterior Resection in Rectal Cancer Patients

Anastomotic complications after low anterior resection are associated with perianastomotic ischemia. Smoking is one of the main causes of microvascular disease that is correlated with tissue ischemia. The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of smoking on anastomotic complications after low anterior resection in rectal cancer patients. Between January 2005 and December 2008, 412 patients underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancers by a single surgeon at Seoul National University Hospital. Excluded from this series were 197 patients with postoperative radiation therapy, cancers that were located above 10 cm from the anal verge, or lack of medical records, and the remaining 215 patients were included for analysis. Significant variables in the univariate analysis were subsequently subject to multivariate analysis for identification of risk factors for complications. The rate of anastomotic complications was 10.7% (23 of 215 patients). Univariate analysis showed that male gender, body mass index higher than 25 kg/m(2), smoking history, smoking amount, type of operation, and presence of a protective stoma were associated with anastomotic complications. In multivariate analysis, a history of heavy smoking was a significant risk factor for anastomotic complications. A history of heavy smoking (more than 40 pack-years) is an independently significant risk factor for anastomotic complications after low anterior resection in rectal cancer patients.

Impact of Anastomotic Airway Complications After Lung Transplantation

Because improper airway healing continues as a source of morbidity after lung transplantation, we determined prevalence and risk factors for anastomotic complications and examined their impact on survival. From January 1997 to January 2004, 272 patients undergoing pulmonary transplantation were studied for anastomotic airway complications. Complications were categorized as necrosis or obstruction and treatment as none, endoscopic (stenting, bronchoplasty, ablation), or open repair. Survival impact was assessed by follow-up (mean, 3.0 +/- 2.2 years) using competing-risks nonproportional hazards methodology in the context of repeated events. By 24 months, 94 anastomotic airway complications (26 necrotic, 67 obstructive, 1 torsion) had developed in 48 patients (18%), and 23 (8.5% overall; 48% of affected patients) underwent intervention. Risk of necrotic complications preceded obstruction. Risk factors were telescoping anastomosis (p < 0.0001), more recent transplant (p < 0.0001), donor-recipient size mismatch (p = 0.008), and previously treated anastomotic airway complication (p < 0.0001). Seventy-eight interventions were performed for 60 of the 94 complications. Compared with patients experiencing no anastomotic airway complications, those with treated complications had equivalent early survival (82% versus 80% at 12 months, p = 0.9) but worse late survival (60% versus 27% at 48 months, p = 0.03), and those with untreated complications had worse early survival (82% versus 62% at 12 months, p = 0.004) but equivalent late survival (p = 0.4). Anastomotic airway complications occur in about one fifth of patients after lung transplantation and are formidable and persistent problems. Early complications are necrosis, followed by obstruction. Few risk factors are modifiable. Because these complications importantly affect survival, improving efficacy of intervention strategies should improve outcome.