OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors and management of anastomotic leakage after radical resection for rectal cancer and preservation of anal sphincter.

METHODSThe clinical data of 190 rectal cancer patients, undergone sphincter preserving procedures from Jan. 2004 to Jan. 2006, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe incidence of anastomotic leakage among the 190 rectal cancer patients was 7.9% (15 patients). The leakage occurred from 2 to 17 days postoperatively and the average time of appearance was 5.8 days. Thirteen cases of anastomotic leakage were healed by conservative therapy. The treatment included nutritional support, catheter drainage of abdominal abscesses and the use of antibiotics. Healing time ranged from 10 to 60 days and the mean time was 21.8 days. The other 2 patients were healed by abdominal perineal resection and loop colostomy of transverse colon respectively. The complication of anastomotic leakage was associated with age (10.2% in older than 60 years versus 3.2% in younger than 60 years), physical status (20.7% in poor condition patients versus 5.6% in good condition patients), bowel obstruction (19.1% with obstruction versus 6.5% without obstruction), anastomotic procedure (12.2% in Parks' anastomosis versus 6.7% Dixon anastomosis), anastomotic location (9.2% for outside of peritoneal anastomosis versus 2.7 for inside of peritoneal anastomosis). The rates of anastomotic leakage in staple-line manual reinforce group and postoperative anorectal drainage group were significantly decreased than those in control groups (1.9% versus 11.4% and 2.9% versus 10.7%)(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSElderly patients, poor general condition, preoperative tumor obstruction, outside of peritoneal anastomosis are independent risk factors for the development of anastomotic leakage. Manual staple-line reinforce after stapled anastomosis and postoperative placement of drainage in rectum may be effective in decreasing the rate of anastomotic failure. Early and active conservative approach should be considered as the main treatment of anastomotic leakage.