Diagnosis of gastrointestinal anastomotic dehiscence after hospital discharge: Impact on patient management and outcome

Late anastomotic perforation of the ileum 3 years after intestinal resection

Late perforation of the ileum is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication following intestinal resection. We present a unique case of a woman in her 60s with a history of appendiceal carcinoid tumour, who underwent a right hemicolectomy. Positron emission tomography and surveillance CTs showed normal surgical changes and no recurrent malignancy. Three years postoperatively, she presented with severe abdominal pain. CT revealed a perforation along the ileal wall of the ileocolonic anastomosis. She underwent emergent resection and repeat ileocolonic anastomosis. We conclude that the patient had subclinical ischaemia of the anastomosis, which eventually progressed to perforation 3 years later. We discuss a literature review on late small intestinal anastomotic perforations and their associated risk factors. Our case and literature review emphasise the importance of considering delayed anastomotic leak in postoperative patients with a history of intestinal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, Roux-en-Y enteroenterostomy or side-to-side anastomosis.

Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein as early predictors in patients at high risk of colorectal anastomotic leakage

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) for anastomotic leakage (AL) following colorectal surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data for patients who underwent colorectal surgery at our hospital between November 2019 and December 2023. CRP and PCT were measured postoperatively to compare patients with/without AL, and changes were compared between low- and high-risk groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CRP and PCT to identify AL in high-risk patients.

RESULTS

Mean CRP was 142.53 mg/L and 189.57 mg/L in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively, on postoperative day (POD)3. On POD2, mean PCT was 2.75 ng/mL and 8.16 ng/mL in low- and high-risk patients, respectively; values on POD3 were 3.53 ng/mL and 14.86 ng/mL, respectively. The areas under the curve (AUC) for CRP and PCT on POD3 were 0.71 and 0.78, respectively (CRP cut-off: 235.64 mg/L; sensitivity: 96%; specificity: 89.42% vs PCT cut-off: 3.94 ng/mL; sensitivity: 86%; specificity: 93.56%; AUC: 0.78). The AUC, sensitivity, and specificity for the combined diagnostic ability of CRP and PCT on POD3 were 0.92, 90%, and 100%, respectively (cut-off: 0.44).

CONCLUSIONS

Combining PCT and CRP on POD3 enhances the diagnostic accuracy for AL.

Postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal surgery with anastomotic leak before and after hospital discharge

Anastomotic leak (AL) is the most feared complication after colorectal surgery and time to diagnosis is variable. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patient who had an AL during or after hospital discharge. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of all patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resections without proximal diversion during the period 2008-2018 was conducted. The sample was divided into two groups: patients who had AL during hospitalization (G1) and those who had AL after hospital discharge (G2). Demographics, operative variables and postoperative outcomes were compared between groups. A total of 853 patients were included; AL was diagnosed in 60 (7%) patients and was more frequent during initial hospitalization than after hospital discharge (G1: 49 (82%) vs. G2: 11 (18%), p < 0.001). Demographics were similar between groups. Most patients were treated with laparoscopic lavage and diverting ileostomy in both groups (G1: 92% vs. G2: 82%, p = 0.30). Severity of peritonitis at reoperation and length of hospital stay after AL were similar between groups (G1: 11 vs. G2: 9 days, p = 0.54). Overall postoperative morbidity (G1: 57% vs. G2: 36%, p = 0.31), mortality (G1: 10% vs. G2: 27%, p = 0.15) and intestinal reconstruction rate (G1: 92% vs. G2: 100%, p = 1) were similar between groups. Outpatient onset of anastomotic leak did not increase the severity of peritonitis, had no impact on the type of treatment performed, and showed similar postoperative morbidity and mortality as compared to those having AL during hospitalization.

Association of Comorbidity with Anastomotic Leak, 30-day Mortality, and Length of Stay in Elective Surgery for Colonic Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Comorbidity has a negative influence on the long-term prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer, whereas its impact on the postoperative course is less clear.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of comorbidity on anastomotic leak and short-term outcomes after resection for colonic cancer.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective nationwide cohort study

SETTING

: Data were obtained from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group and the National Patient Registry.

PATIENTS

Patients with colonic cancer undergoing elective resection between 2001 and 2008 were selected.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the ability of comorbidity to predict anastomotic leak. Secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and length of stay. Comorbidity was assessed by the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics curves were used to adjust for confounding.

RESULTS

The rate of anastomotic leak was 535/8597 (6.2%). The mean (95% CI) Charlson score was 0.83 (0.72-0.94) and 0.63 (0.61-0.66) for patients with and without anastomotic leak, p < 0.001. The Charlson score, as assessed in the multivariable analysis (adjusted OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.99-1.15; p = 0.077) and by receiver operating characteristics curves (area under the curve = 0.548), failed to predict anastomotic leak. Thirty-day mortality was 425/8587 (4.9%). In patients with anastomotic leakage, a Charlson score of ≥ 2 was associated with increased mortality in comparison with a Charlson score of <2 (adjusted HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.00-2.51; p = 0.047). Mean length of stay was 8.7 days (95% CI, 8.4-9.2 days) for patients without an anastomotic leak in comparison with 23.3 days (95% CI, 21.5-25.1 days) for patients with anastomotic leak and 25.5 days (95% CI, 21.7-29.3 days) in patients with anastomotic leak and a Charlson score of >2, p < 0.001.

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by the accuracy of the coding used to generate the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the retrospective study design.

CONCLUSION

Comorbidity failed to predict anastomotic leak, but it was associated with an inferior short-term outcome in patients with this surgical complication.

Technical characteristics can make the difference in a surgical linear stapler. Or not?

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leak (AL) after gastrointestinal surgery is a severe complication associated with relevant short- and long-term sequelae. Most of the anastomosis are currently performed with a surgical stapler that is required to have appropriate characteristics to guarantee good performances. The aim of our study was to evaluate, in the laboratory, pressure resistance and tensile strength of anastomosis performed with different surgical linear staplers, available in the market.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We have been studying three linear staplers, with diverse cartridges and staple heights, of three different companies, used for gastrointestinal anastomosis and gastric or intestinal closure. We performed 50 anastomosis for each device, with the pertinent different cartridges, on fresh pig intestine, for a total of 350 anastomosis, then injected saline solution and recorded the pressure that provokes a leak on the staple line. There were no statistically significant differences between the mean pressure necessary to induce an AL in the various instruments (P > 0.05). For studying the tensile strength, we performed a total of 350 anastomosis with the different linear staplers on a special strong paper (Tyvek), then recorded the maximal tensile force that could open the anastomosis.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the different staplers about the strength necessary to open the staple line (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

we demonstrated that different linear staplers of three companies available in the market give comparable anastomotic pressure resistance and tensile strength. This might suggest that small dissimilarities between different devices are not involved, at least as major parameters, in AL etiology.

Management of anastomotic leak: lessons learned from a large colon and rectal surgery training program

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leak is a dreaded surgical complication that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its prevalence, there is no consensus on the management of anastomotic leak. This study aimed to review the management of anastomotic leak in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at two institutions.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of all anastomotic leaks occurring after surgery in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at two teaching institutions during 1997-2008.

RESULTS

Altogether, 103 leaks occurred in 1,707 anastomoses (6 %), with a median time to diagnosis of 20 days (2-1,400 days). The 90-day mortality rate was 3 %. The majority of cases were managed nonoperatively (73 %), and the majority of leaks were from an extraperitoneal anastomosis (67 %). Success (i.e., radiographic demonstration of a healed leak, restored gastrointestinal continuity) occurred in 54 % of operatively managed leaks and 57 % of nonoperatively managed leaks (56 % overall). Operative management differed by leak location. In 91 % of patients with intraperitoneal leaks, the anastomosis was resected. In 76 % of patients with extraperitoneal leaks, diversion and drainage alone was performed without manipulating the anastomosis. Nonoperative management was successful for 57 % of extraperitoneal leaks and 58 % of intraperitoneal leaks. There was no significant difference in the success rates based on type of management (operative/nonoperative) for either extraperitoneal or intraperitoneal leaks.

CONCLUSIONS

Anastomotic leak continues to result in patient morbidity and mortality. Its diverse presentation requires tailoring management to the patient. Nonoperative and operative treatments are viable options for intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal leaks based on patient presentation.

Risk factors for failure of percutaneous drainage and need for reoperation following symptomatic gastrointestinal anastomotic leak

BACKGROUND

Few studies have evaluated the role of computed tomography-guided percutaneous drainage (PD) in the management of gastrointestinal (GI) anastomotic leaks.

METHODS

Ten-year review of an interventional radiology database identified patients with symptomatic GI anastomotic leaks. Clinical, laboratory, radiographic, and operative characteristics following a technically successful PD which then failed and required reoperation for anastomotic leak were compared with those successfully treated with PD.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients met study inclusion criteria. Fifty patients (82%) successfully underwent therapeutic PD of a perianastomotic fluid collection, with median follow-up of 16 months. Eleven patients (18%), at a median interval of 16 days, required reoperation following PD. A forward logistic regression showed cardiopulmonary disease (P = .03) and cancer surgery (P = .01) to be factors independently associated with the need for reoperation. The level of the anastomosis, initial fecal diversion/stoma, fluid collection size, and microbiology of aspirate did not predict failure of PD.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiopulmonary disease and cancer surgery appear to be independent predictors for failure of PD and need for reoperation following a symptomatic GI anastomotic leak.

The burden of gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks: an evaluation of clinical and economic outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical and economic burden associated with anastomotic leaks following colorectal surgery.

METHODS

Retrospective data (January 2008 to December 2010) were analyzed from patients who had colorectal surgery with and without postoperative leaks, using the Premier Perspective™ database. Data on in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), re-admissions, postoperative infection, and costs were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses, and the propensity score matching (PSM) and generalized linear models (GLM).

RESULTS

Of the patients, 6,174 (6.18 %) had anastomotic leaks within 30 days after colorectal surgery. Patients with leaks had 1.3 times higher 30-day re-admission rates and 0.8-1.9 times higher postoperative infection rates as compared with patients without leaks (P < 0.001 for both). Anastomotic leaks incurred additional LOS and hospital costs of 7.3 days and $24,129, respectively, only within the first hospitalization. Per 1,000 patients undergoing colorectal surgery, the economic burden associated with anastomotic leaks--including hospitalization and re-admission--was established as 9,500 days in prolonged LOS and $28.6 million in additional costs. Similar results were obtained from both the PSM and GLM for assessing total costs for hospitalization and re-admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Anastomotic leaks in colorectal surgery increase the total clinical and economic burden by a factor of 0.6-1.9 for a 30-day re-admission, postoperative infection, LOS, and hospital costs.

Late perforation at the jejuno-jejunal anastomosis after laparoscopic gastric bypass for morbid obesity

BACKGROUND

Although marginal ulceration and perforation at the gastrojejunal anastomosis is an established, albeit rare, risk after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) for morbid obesity, little is known about the risk of late perforation at the jejuno-jejunal (J-J) anastomosis. The objective of this study was to identify the incidence of J-J perforation and describe management options and sequelae.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of the database of all patients who underwent LRYGB. The results are presented as mean (range) where appropriate.

RESULTS

Between April 2002 and April 2012, 1652 patients underwent LRYGB (1577 primary and 75 revision procedures). The operative mortality was .18%. Three patients developed late perforation of the J-J anastomosis (.18%) at 7, 9, and 18 weeks, respectively. Two patients were managed with resection and reanastomosis of the perforation by laparotomy, and a third patient was managed laparoscopically with peritoneal lavage and transcutaneous tube jejunostomy of the perforation. All patients recovered well postoperatively. However, the third patient represented 42 days later with sepsis and died secondary to recurrent J-J ulcer perforation.

CONCLUSION

Perforation of the J-J anastomosis is a rare and life-threatening delayed complication after LRYGB and usually presents within 2-8 months postoperatively. It poses difficulties with diagnosis and management and should be dealt with judiciously.

[Diagnosis and definition of anastomotic leakage from the surgeon's perspective]

The leak rates of different gastrointestinal anastomoses vary considerably but despite this there are common and general concepts for diagnosis and management. Early diagnosis and timely consistent therapy must guide management to prevent harm to the patients. Diagnosis of anastomotic leaks is coupled to clinical signs of the patients and should be initiated promptly. Dependent on the localization of the leak, computed tomography with administration of oral or rectal contrast dye and endoscopy are of high diagnostic value. Both procedures guarantee the option of drainage or stenting through interventional drains or stent placement. Only the implementation of uniform definitions of anastomotic leaks enables surgeons to compare and to improve surgical treatment. Over recent years consensus definitions of postoperative complications including bile leak, pancreatic fistula and colorectal leak have been formulated. These definitions are based on a 3-fold increase of bilirubin (bile leak) or amylase levels (pancreatic fistula) in abdominal drainage fluid compared to serum levels or on an intestinal wall defect with communication of the intraluminal and extraluminal compartments (colorectal anastomosis). The definitions each describe three severity grades A-C. A change of clinical management is required in grade B whereas grade C usually requires a re-operation. Comparable consensus definitions for anastomotic leaks following esophagogastrostomy or esophagojejunostomy or following small bowel anastomosis have not been established. The authors strongly recommend implementation of the presented consensus definitions into clinical and academic daily practice.