PURPOSE: This study evaluated the efficacy of a water-soluble contrast enema (WCE) in predicting anastomotic healing after a low anterior resection (LAR). METHODS: Between January 2000 and March 2012, 682 consecutive patients underwent a LAR or an ultra-low anterior resection (uLAR) and were followed up for leakage. Clinical leakage was established by using physical and laboratory findings. Radiologic leakage was identified by using retrograde WCE imaging. Abnormal radiologic features on WCE were categorized into four types based on morphology: namely, dendritic, horny, saccular, and serpentine. RESULTS: Of the 126 patients who received a concurrent diverting stoma, only two (1.6%) suffered clinical leakage due to pelvic abscess. However, 37 patients (6.7%) in the other group suffered clinical leakage following fecal diversion (P = 0.027). Among the 163 patients who received a fecal diversion, 20 showed radiologic leakage on the first WCE (eight with and 12 without a concurrent diversion); 16 had abnormal features continuously until the final WCE while four patients healed spontaneously. Eleven of the 16 patients (69%), by their surgeon's decision, underwent a stoma restoration based on clinical findings (2/3 dendritic, 3/4 horny, 5/7 saccular, 1/2 serpentine). After stoma reversal, only 2 of the 11 (19%) complained of complications related to the rectal anastomosis. CONCLUSION: WCE is helpful for detecting radiologic leakage before stoma restoration, especially in patients suffering clinical leakage after an uLAR. However, surgeons appear to opt for stoma restoration despite the persistent existence of radiologic leakage in cases with particular features on the WCE.
Abscess ; Anastomotic Leak ; Colorectal Surgery ; Enema* ; Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms*

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Anastomotic Leak/surgery* ; Drainage ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Suction

Anastomotic Leak ; Aorta/surgery* ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Humans

Background and Objective: One of the uses of indocyanine green (ICG) in the surgical field is the evaluation of the anastomotic margins in colorectal surgery. This is of particular importance because fluorescence imaging may aid in detecting vascular compromise, allowing the surgeon to change the resection margin thereby decreasing the chance of an anastomotic leak. To date, there has been no study with its use locally. This study aimed to determine whether the use of ICG can safely identify if the margins of resection are well-vascularized in patients undergoing left-sided colon or rectal surgery, which in turn may reduce anastomotic leak rates. Methods: Through a retrospective study design, the investigators gathered data of patients who underwent left-sided colon or rectal surgery. The groups were divided into those with and without the use of ICG and a comparative data on the anastomotic leak rates were analyzed. Results: Eighty-six (86) patients with similar patient characteristics, tumor staging, and surgical approach were compared. Both the leak rates identified during the initial hospital stay and at 30 days post-operatively were lower in those where ICG was used (p=0.035, p=0.047, respectively) than those where ICG was not used. Conclusion ICG fluorescence imaging may reduce the anastomotic leak rates in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.
indocyanine green ; colon ; rectum ; colorectal surgery ; anastomosis, surgical ; anastomotic leak

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency and safety of endoscopic trans-fistula drainage (ETFD) for gastroesophageal anastomotic fistula with para-fistula abscess after esophagectomy. Methods: Among 456 esophageal cancer patients receiving esophagectomy between February 2012 and February 2017 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, 15 cases were diagnosed as gastroesophageal anastomotic fistula with para-fistula abscess after surgery. Seven cases received ETFD treatment (ETFD group), and 8 cases received conventional treatment (control group). Recovery of inflammatory markers and fistula, length of hospital stay after esophagectomy and total medical expenses were compared between ETFD group and control group. Results: All patients recovered in ETFD group. Time of white cell count returning to normal and decline of C-reactive protein, time of fistula healing and length of hospital stay after esophagectomy in ETFD group were significantly shorter than those of control group (all P<0.05). And medical expenses in ETFD group was also lower (P<0.05). Conclusion: ETFD is effective and safe for gastroesophageal anastomotic fistula with para-fistula abscess after esophagectomy.
Abscess ; Anastomotic Leak ; Drainage ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Fistula ; surgery ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

Anastomotic leak is one of the most severe complications following right hemicolectomy but rarely happens, which should be diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiographic examinations. Influencing factors of anastomotic leak after right hemicolectomy include bowel preparation, emergency surgery, anastomotic procedure (side-to-side anastomosis vs. end-to-side anastomosis, instrument anastomosis vs. manual technigue and intracorporeal vs. extracorporeal anastomosis), surgical resection range and patient's characteristics. The occurrence of anastomotic leak might be avoided by standardized operations and indocyanine green fluorescence imaging. Active treatment is recommended once anastomotic leak is diagnosed. Most patients can be cured by non-surgical treatments such as adequate drainage and anti-infection therapy. When severe sepsis happens or non-surgical treatment fails, surgical treatment should be carried out in time.
Anastomosis, Surgical/adverse effects* ; Anastomotic Leak/surgery* ; Colectomy ; Colon/surgery* ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most serious complications after sphincter- preserving surgery for rectal cancer, which can significantly prolong the length of stay of patients, increase perioperative mortality, cause dysfunction, shorten overall survival and recurrence-free survival of patients. In order to reduce the serious consequences caused by AL, prediction of AL through preoperative and intraoperative risk factors are of great importance. However, the influences of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, protective stoma, laparoscopic surgery and some intraoperative manipulations on AL are still controversial. Through the auxiliary judgment of anastomotic blood supply during operation, such as indocyanine green imaging, hemodynamic ultrasound, etc., it is expected to achieve the source control of AL. Early diagnosis of AL can be achieved by attention to clinical manifestations and drainage, examination of peripheral blood, drainage and intestinal flora, identification of high risk factors such as fever, diarrhea and increased infectious indicators, and timely administration of CT with contrast enema.
Humans ; Anastomotic Leak/surgery* ; Rectal Neoplasms/complications* ; Rectum/surgery* ; Risk Factors ; Early Diagnosis

PURPOSE: Anastomotic leakage following low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer is a serious complication that increases morbidity and mortality rates. Transanal tube placement may reduce postoperative anastomotic leakage rate by reducing intraluminal pressure and preventing fecal extrusion through the staple line. This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of transanal tube placement to prevent anastomotic leakage after LAR for rectal cancer using a stapling technique. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was consistent with the recommendations of the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) statement. Multiple comprehensive databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and KoreaMed, were searched. The main study outcomes were anastomotic leakage. RESULTS: Two randomized clinical trials and 4 nonrandomized studies involving 1,118 patients were included. Subgroup analyses of randomized clinical trials found that transanal tube placement had no effect on study outcomes. Meta-analysis of nonrandomized studies showed that transanal tube placement was associated with a lower incidence of anastomotic leakage (relative risk, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.15-0.67; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSION: Transanal tube placement may be effective in preventing or reducing the occurrence of anastomotic leakage after LAR for rectal cancer using a stapling technique. Randomized clinical trials with sufficient power are needed to confirm the benefit of transanal tube placement.
Anastomotic Leak* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Colorectal Surgery ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Rectal Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: The anastomotic leakage rate after rectal resection has been reported to be approximately 2.5-21 percent, but most results were associated with open surgery. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors and their relationship to the experience of the surgeon for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic rectal resection. METHODS: Between March 2003 and December 2008, 156 patients underwent a laparoscopic rectal resection without a diverting ileostomy. The patients' characteristics, the details of treatment, the intraoperative results, and the postoperative results were recorded prospectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify risk factors for anastomotic leakage. RESULTS: The majority of operations were performed for malignant disease (n = 150; 96.2%), and 96 patients (61.5%) were males. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 1 case (0.6%). The anastomotic leak rate was 10.3% (16/156), and there were no mortalities. In the univariate analysis, tumor location, anastomotic level, intraoperative events, and operation time were associated with increased anastomotic leakage rate. In the multivariate analysis, anastomotic level (odds ratio [OR], 6.855; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.271 to 36.964) and operation time (OR, 8.115; 95% CI, 1.982 to 33.222) were significantly associated with anastomotic leakage. CONCLUSION: The important risk factors for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic rectal resection without a diverting ileostomy were low anastomosis and long operation time. An additional procedure, such as diverting stoma, may reduce the anastomotic leakage if it is selectively applied in cases with these risk factors.
Anastomotic Leak ; Conversion to Open Surgery ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery is a very important issue. Although many studies have shown the positive effects of enteral glutamine (Gln) on anastomotic healing, none has assessed the effects of administering Gln via an enema for anastomotic healing. To fill this study gap, this study investigated the intraluminal effect of administration of Gln enema on the healing of colonic anastomosis in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups containing 10 rats each and were subjected to distal left colon transection and anastomosis. Postoperatively, group I (the control group) was administered no treatment, group II was administered daily placebo enemas containing physiological saline, and group III was administered daily 2% L-Gln enemas. After sacrifice on postoperative day 5, anastomotic healing, burst pressure, tissue hydroxyproline levels, and histological parameters were measured, and group values were compared via statistical analysis. RESULTS: Group III was found to have the highest mean bursting pressure and tissue hydroxyproline levels and the lowest mean ischemia score. While the values of these parameters were not found to differ significantly among the groups, the lack of significance may have been due to the limited number of subjects examined. CONCLUSION: Administration of a Gln enema may have a positive effect on anastomosis in terms of bursting pressure and histopathological parameters. Future research should examine administration of a preoperative Gln enema as a means of decreasing the traumatic effects of the enema and identifying its applicability in surgical practice.
Anastomosis, Surgical ; Anastomotic Leak ; Animals* ; Colon* ; Colorectal Surgery ; Enema* ; Glutamine* ; Hydroxyproline ; Ischemia ; Models, Animal ; Rats