title: Influence of anastomotic leakage on oncological outcome in patients with rectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anastomotic leakages are one of the most serious complications of postoperative recovery among patients that undergo rectal cancer resection. Some investigators have suggested that anastomotic leakages have an impact on the oncological outcome; however, this is currently controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Considering the increase of sphincter-preserving procedures for rectal cancer, anastomotic leakage, and its impact on oncological outcomes has become an important issue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rates of anastomotic leakage are reported to range between 0.6% and 17.4%, depending on the definitions used. Here, we review the available information on anastomotic leakage and its association with oncological outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Vievis Namuh Hospital, 94-22 Nonhyun-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. ijpark7@gmail.com
authors.forename: In Ja
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome