title: Active lymphangiogenesis is a major risk factor for anastomotic leakage following sphincter-sparing resection of rectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anastomotic leakage is a major complication of rectal surgery and controversy about its risk factors still exists. The aim of present study was to identify risk factors for anastomotic leakage following sphincter-sparing resection of rectal cancer, focusing on the role of tissular lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in tumorous margin and distal clearance margin.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 9-year period, from September 1999 to September 2009, 750 consecutive patients who underwent anterior resection with restoration of the bowel continuity were included. Univariate and multivariate analysis were applied to identify risk factors for anastomotic leakage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of anastomotic leakage was 7.6% (57 of 750 patients). In a multivariate analysis, high LVD in tumorous margin [P=0.0017; odds ratio (OR)=5.93; 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.61-8.514], high LVD in distal clearance margin (P=0.0011; OR=6.05; 95% CI=2.72-10.108) and lower tumor location (P=0.006; OR=4.620; 95% CI=1.76-6.97) were identified as independent factors for anastomotic leakage. A significant LVD correlation was shown by Spearman's rank test between the tumorous and distal clearance margin (r=0.796).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tissular LVD in tumorous or distal clearance margin and lower tumor location are important risk factors for anastomotic leakage.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China. chen93662@163.com
authors.forename: Weirong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yanchon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ziqun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Guangrong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Gaoyang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Kaihuang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Qinhua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: Caoyang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult