title: Anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic protectomy can be managed by a minimally invasive approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to identify the clinical features of anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer and to evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic management for this problem.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospectively collected data were obtained from 307 patients with rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic proctectomy and primary anastomosis. Age, sex, tumor location, tumor stage, body mass index, comorbidities, ileostomy, conversion, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, previous abdominal operation, and hospital stay were analyzed for patients with or without anastomotic leakage. Management and outcome of anastomotic leakage also were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anastomotic leakage occurred in 29 patients (9.4 percent). Diverting ileostomy was initially fashioned in 65 patients (21.2 percent). Leakage was related to young age, male sex, lower tumor location, and longer operation time. Ten patients (34.5 percent) were successfully managed with conservative treatment. Seventeen patients (58.6 percent) were managed via a laparoscopic approach. Open surgery was performed in two patients who showed diffuse fecal soiling or had previous conversion, respectively. There was no mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When leakage occurs, laparotomy or colostomy is not needed routinely. For surgical intervention, the abdominal cavity should be explored first by laparoscopic visualization because the majority of patients can be successfully managed with laparoscopy and ileostomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hansol Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Geul
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Joh
authors.forename: Seon-Hahn
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Koo-Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Jonah
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stulberg
authors.forename: Choon-Sik
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Dong-Keun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*