Anastomotic leakage of a colorectal anastomosis treated by transanal endoscopic microsurgery.
OBJECTIVE
To report a minimal invasive technique for repairing an anastomotic leakage with Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (T.E.M.) without creating a protective ostomy.


CONCLUSIONS
There are a large number of techniques for the management of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery. Depending on the size and location of the disruption, a protective ileostomy, a permanent colostomy or even reintervention for drainage or closure of the leak may be indicated. In most cases the patient faces the morbidity associated with a new intervention, a prolonged hospital stay and a future operation for closure of the stoma. In the present case a 56-year-old man underwent a laparoscopic rectosigmoid resection after two episodes of diverticulitis in six months. An end-to-end circular stapled anastomosis was constructed. Unfortunately 8-days postoperatively an anastomotic leak occurred. Attempts to close the tear non-surgically with colonoscopy and clipping failed. A minimally invasive reintervention with transanal endoscopic microsurgery (T.E.M.) was performed without creation of an ileostomy. One week postoperatively a gastrografin bowel study showed no leakage. To our knowledge, this technique has not yet been reported without the simultaneous construction of a stoma.


CONCLUSIONS
We describe a possible minimally invasive technique to avoid laparotomy and/or the creation of a derivative stoma in the management of anastomotic leakage. Hospital stay is not significantly prolonged, future reïntervention for closure of stoma is avoided and sphincter function is preserved.
Beunis
A
A
Department of abdominal surgery, Monica-Hospital - Campus Middelares, Deurne, Belgium.
Pauli
S
S
Van Cleemput
M
M
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017211:Treatment Failure