The impact of anastomotic leakage after curative colon cancer resection on long-term survival: A retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most feared postoperative complications in colon cancer surgery due to an association with increased morbidity and mortality, although its impact on long-term survival is not consensual. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of AL on long-term survival of patients undergoing curative colon cancer resection.

METHODS

A single-centre retrospective cohort study was designed. Clinical records of all consecutive patients undergoing surgery at our institution between 01/01/2010 and 12/31/2019 were reviewed. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method to estimate overall and conditional survival and Cox regression to search for risk factors impacting survival.

RESULTS

A total of 2351 patients submitted to colorectal surgery were screened for eligibility, of which 686 with colon cancer were included. AL occurred in 57 patients (8,3%) and was associated with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality, length of stay and early readmissions (P < 0,05). Overall survival was inferior in the leakage group (Hazard Ratio 2,08 [1,02-4,24]). Conditional overall survival at 30, 90 days and 6 months was also inferior in the leakage group (P < 0,05), but not at 1 year. Risk factors independently associated with reduced overall survival included AL occurrence, higher ASA classification and delayed/missed adjuvant chemotherapy. AL did not impact local and distant recurrence (P > 0,05).

CONCLUSION

AL has a negative impact on survival. Its effect is more pronounced on short-term mortality. AL does not appear to be associated with disease progression.

What do we see when we do not see the bladder? Review of the main urinary diversion techniques and their complications

OBJECTIVE

To review the different types of urinary diversion surgeries (UDS) in order to recognize the expected findings in a postoperative study, using different imaging techniques. To recognize the main postoperative complications, both early and late.

CONCLUSION

UDS are surgical procedures whose purpose is to redirect urine flow after cystectomy, generally in an oncologic context. The imaging evaluation of urological surgeries is often a radiological challenge, with CT being the most commonly used image modality. Therefore, it is essential to know the main surgical techniques, the expected postoperative findings and the optimization of imaging techniques for early diagnosis and correct evaluation of postoperative complications.

Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein: markers in the early diagnosis of anastomotic leak

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of serum procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the early diagnosis of anastomotic leak (AL) in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

METHOD

Diagnostic test in a tertiary care hospital. Patients who did not have preoperative measurements of PCT and CRP were excluded. Those with postoperative infection not related to AL were eliminated. The diagnostic efficacy measures were sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values, positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients were analyzed; six had AL (15.4%). PCT and CRP increased on the second postoperative day, only in patients with AL. The cut-off points at the second postoperative day were 1.55 ng/mL for PCT and 11.25 mg/L for CRP. The most efficacious test was PCR at second postoperative day (AUROC: 1.00; Sn: 100%; Sp: 96.7%; PPV: 85.7%; NPV: 100%; LR+: 33.0).

CONCLUSIONS

CRP at second postoperative day was the most effective test in the early diagnosis of AL in patients undergoing colorectal surgery, with a cut-off point lower than that reported in the international literature.

Risk factors associated to intestinal anastomotic leakage in elective surgery

BACKGROUND

The intestinal anastomotic leakage is the most feared surgical complication of a digestive surgery and is associated with a significant increase of morbidity, mortality and hospital stay.

OBJECTIVE

Analyze the risk factors to the intestinal anastomotic leakage in elective surgery.

METHOD

Observational and retrospective study in which we include patients with intestinal anastomosis, in elective surgery at the second level hospital from January 2007 to January 2017.

RESULTS

64 patients were included in the study, in which 7 presented anastomotic leakage. The statistically significant risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage were, cocaine use (p = 0.030), neoplasia as a primary pathology (p = 0.008), neoadjuvant treatment for neoplasia (p = 0.003), and end-to-end anastomosis (p = 0.037). Patients with a leakage had a longer hospital stay and a mortality of 14.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors associated with the presence of anastomotic leakage found in this study are consistent with the reported worldwide literature. However, in our results, it is worth highlighting the use of cocaine as a risk factor, with statistical significance.

Necrotizing fasciitis as a complication of late anastomotic leak after anterior resection for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leak is a serious complication of rectal cancer surgery that leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Its incidence is 3-21%, usually appearing 5-7 days after surgery, although there are cases of late presentation as chronic anastomotic fistulas or sinuses.

CASE REPORT

We present three cases of patients who underwent anterior resection for rectal cancer and developed necrotizing fasciitis due to late anastomotic leaks.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that early and resolutive surgical treatment is recommended for chronic anastomotic fistulas or sinuses, even when asymptomatic, because of the associated risk of necrotizing fasciitis.

Factors associated with dehiscence of intestinal anastomosis

OBJETIVO

Identificar los factores asociados a dehiscencia de anastomosis de intestino delgado y grueso.

MÉTODO

Se incluyeron 92 anastomosis de intestino delgado y grueso, en mayores de 18 años, realizadas en 2012-2016. Se evaluaron factores asociados en el preoperatorio, el transoperatorio y el posoperatorio.

RESULTADOS

Se presentó dehiscencia de anastomosis en el 13% de los casos. Se encontró una asociación significativa con ingesta previa de medicamentos (p = 0.05; odds ratio [OR]: 1.17; IC 95%) y con anastomosis primaria (p = 0.05; OR: 3.6; 0.92-14.5). En los pacientes con dehiscencia se incrementó la estancia intrahospitalaria.

CONCLUSIÓN

La presencia de dehiscencia de anastomosis fue similar a lo reportado en la literatura. Los factores asociados fueron la ingesta previa de medicamentos y la anastomosis primaria.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the factors associated with dehiscence of anastomosis of the small and large intestine.

METHOD

92 anastomoses of the small and large intestine were included in patients over 18 years of age, performed in 2012-2016. Associated factors were evaluated in pre, trans and postoperative.

RESULTS

Anastomosis dehiscence was presented in 13%. A significant association was found for previous medication intake (p = 0.05; odds ratio [OR]: 1.17; 1.024-1.33) and primary anastomosis (p = 0.05, OR: 3.6; 0.92-14.5). In patients with dehiscence, the hospital stay was increased.

CONCLUSION

The presence of dehiscence of anastomosis was similar to that reported in the literature. The associated factors were previous medication intake, and primary anastomosis.

Impact of perioperative transfusions and sepsis on long-term oncologic outcomes after curative colon cancer resection. A retrospective analysis of a prospective database

OBJECTIVE

Intra-abdominal septic complications (IASC) affect short-term outcomes after surgery for colon cancer. Blood transfusions have been associated with worse short-term results. The role of IASC and blood transfusions on long-term oncologic results is still debated. This study aims to assess the impact of these two variables on survival after curative colon cancer resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent curative surgery for colon cancer at a university hospital, between 1993 and 2010. Cox regression was used to identify the role of IASC and transfusions (alone and combined) on local recurrence (LR), disease-free survival (DFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

RESULTS

Out of the 1686 patients analyzed, 1277 fit in the inclusion criteria. Colorectal surgeons performed the procedure in 82.2% of the patients. Blood transfusions were administered to 25.8% of the patients. Thirty-day complication and mortality rates were 34.5% and 6.1%. IASC occurred in 9.9%. The mean follow-up was 66 months. The 5-year rates of LR, DFS, and CSS were 7%, 79.8%, and 85.1%. The year of surgery and pT (Hazard ratio 9.35, 95% CI 1.23-70.9, for T4) and pN (Hazard ratio 2.57, 95% CI 1.39-4.72, for N2) stages were independent risk factors for LR. The same variables, bowel obstruction and surgeries performed by surgeons not specialized in colorectal surgery, were also associated with worse DFS and CSS. IASC and blood transfusions were not associated with LR, DFS, and CSS, whether alone or combined.

CONCLUSIONS

IASC and transfusions were not associated with worse oncological outcomes after curative colon cancer surgery per se. Other factors were more important predictors of survival.

Contrast radiography before diverting stoma closure in rectal cancer is not necessary on a routine basis

INTRODUCTION

Diverting stomata are recommended in patients with low anterior resection and risk factors in order to reduce the severity of anastomotic leaks. Usually, a radiology study is performed prior to the closure of the stoma to detect subclinical leaks. The aim of the present study is to assess the clinical utility of the radiology study.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing anterior rectal resection for rectal cancer and those who underwent stoma closure without contrast enema. This study was carried out after a retrospective review of radiology study results prior to the closure of the stoma in patients operated from 2007 to 2011.

RESULTS

Eighty-six patients met the study criteria. Thirteen patients (15.1%) presented pelvic sepsis. Contrast enema before stoma closure was pathological in 8 patients (9.3%). Five out of the 13 patients with pelvic sepsis had a pathological radiological study, compared to only 3 out of the 73 patients without intra-abdominal complications after rectal resection (38.5% vs. 4.1%; P=.001). Based on these results, we conducted a prospective study omitting the contrast enema in patients with no postoperative complications. Thirty-eight patients had their stoma closed without a prior radiology study. None of the patients presented pelvic sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiology studies of the colorectal anastomosis before reconstruction can safely be omitted in patients without pelvic sepsis after the previous rectal resection.

Contrast-enhanced swallow study sensitivity for anastomotic leak detection in post-esophagectomy patients

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Esophagectomy is a highly invasive surgery and one of its postoperative complications is anastomotic leakage, occurring in 53% of cases. The aim of the present study was to determine the sensitivity of the contrast-enhanced swallow study as a method for diagnosing anastomotic leak in patients that underwent esophagectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present retrospective study included the case records of patients that underwent esophagectomy with reconstruction and cervical anastomosis at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán within the time frame of January 1, 2000 and May 31, 2016. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data emphasizing clinical and radiographic anastomotic leak detection were identified. Descriptive statistics were carried out and contrast-enhanced swallow study sensitivity for diagnosing leakage was calculated.

RESULTS

Seventy patients were included in the analysis. The mean age of the patients was 50.6 years, 51 of the patients were men (72.86%), and 19 were women (27.14%). Indications for surgery were benign lesion in 29 patients (41.4%) and malignant lesion in 41 (58.6%). A total of 44.3% of the patients presented with a comorbidity, with diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure standing out. Thirty patients (42.85%) presented with anastomotic leak. Contrast-enhanced swallow study sensitivity for leak detection was 43.33%.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic sensitivity of the contrast-enhanced swallow study was very low. Therefore, we recommend the discontinuation of its routine use as a method for diagnosing anastomotic leaks.