OBJECTIVETo explore the association between the score of preoperative Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) and anastomotic leakage following anterior resection for the rectal cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 641 patients with rectal cancer undergoing anterior resection in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University between January 2003 and July 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative nutritional status was evaluated using NRS 2002. Association of clinicopathologic characteristics with postoperative anastomotic leakage was examined using univariate χ(2) and Logistic regression model.

RESULTSAmong the 641 patients, postoperative anastomotic leakage occurred in 26 (4.1%) cases. The proportion of anastomotic leakage in patients with the NRS 2002 score ≥3 was significantly higher than that in patients with the score <3 (6.9% vs. 2.1%, P=0.002). After the adjustment of factors as age, distance of anastomosis above the anal margin, and pathological staging, NRS 2002 score ≥3 was identified as an independent risk factor for anastomotic leakage following anterior resection for rectal cancer (OR=3.198, 95%CI:1.324-7.722, P=0.010).

CONCLUSIONThe use of the NRS 2002 for preoperative evaluation on patient's nutritional status may help to predict the occurrence of anastomotic leakage following anterior resection for rectal cancer, which may be involved in the indication of protecting ileostomy in clinical practice.