Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer using a stapling technique.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the risk factors for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer using a stapling technique.


METHODS
The total prospective registry of 111 patients with rectal cancer who initially underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection using a stapling technique was reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify relevant risk factors.


RESULTS
Overall anastomotic leakage rate was 5.4% (6/111). Univariate analysis demonstrated that body mass index (BMI) (P=0.0377) was significantly associated with anastomotic leakage. After univariate analysis, the variables of BMI and the size of the circular stapler (P=0.0923) were selected for multivariate analysis, as their P values were <0.2, and multivariate analysis demonstrated that BMI was independently predictive of developing anastomotic leakage (P=0.0458).


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer using a stapling technique can be performed safely without increasing the risk of anastomotic leakage, and increased BMI might be a potential risk factor for anastomotic leakage.
Division of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. seyamamo@ncc.go.jp
Seiichiro
S
Yamamoto
Shin
S
Fujita
Takayuki
T
Akasu
Ryo
R
Inada
Yoshihiro
Y
Moriya
Seiichiro
S
Yamamoto
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome