Anastomotic leakage after resection of colorectal cancer generates prodigious use of hospital resources.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the demand for hospital resources generated by anastomotic leakage, including surgical, medical, imaging, pathology, and other allied health consultations or services and length of postoperative hospital stay.


METHODS
Data were obtained from a comprehensive, prospective hospital registry of all resections for colorectal cancer from January 1995 to December 2004 and from retrospective review of patients' notes.


RESULTS
Forty-one patients with a leak spent 92 days in intensive care, required 129 days of total parenteral nutrition, 69 days of enteric feeding and 41 days on ventilation and had a median postoperative hospital stay of 28 days (range 11-104). These patients required 24 re-operations and 2273 separate medical consultations or allied services.


CONCLUSIONS
Anastomotic leakage generates a very considerable demand for hospital resources and diverts these resources from the hospital population at large.
Frye
J
J
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Concord Hospital and Discipline of Surgery, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
Bokey
E L
EL
Chapuis
P H
PH
Sinclair
G
G
Dent
O F
OF
D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies