Evaluation of Factors Associated with Anastomotic Leakage in Colorectal Surgery

Abstract

Aim: One of the most feared complications after surgical treatment of colorectal diseases is anastomotic leaks. Regarding this issue, we aimed to determine factors that may cause anastomotic leaks by analyzing cases of colorectal disease in which we created anastomoses in our center. Method: The study included patients who underwent surgery including creation of anastomosis due to colorectal disease between January 2012 and December 2016 in the general surgery unit of a public hospital in İzmir. The patients’ data were evaluated retrospectively as two groups: those with anastomotic leakage (group 1) and without anastomotic leakage (group 2). The groups were evaluated in terms of factors such as age, gender, performance of bowel preparation, anastomosis configuration, anastomosis technique, etc. Results: total of 94 patients were included in the study, 10 (10.5%) in group 1 and 84 (89.5%) in group 2. Mean age of the patients was 70.3+12.2 years in group 1 and 62.5±12.6 years in group 2 (p=0.049). Length of hospital stay was significantly longer in group 1 (p0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that more caution regarding anastomotic leak is warranted in elderly patients. Studying larger patient samples is recommended for more productive research.

Keywords

• Anastomosis
• colorectal surgery
• complication