title: Colonoscopy is the first choice for early postoperative rectal anastomotic bleeding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anastomotic bleeding is rare but is one of the dangerous complications, with associated morbidity and mortality, at the early stage of rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to report our experiences in the treatment of this emergency condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed the general characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with severe anastomotic bleeding after undergoing rectal cancer resection with stapled anastomosis at the Department of Colorectal Surgery of Changhai Hospital (China) between January 2011 and December 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anastomotic bleeding occurred in six out of 2,181 patients (0.3%) who underwent anterior resection with stapled anastomosis due to rectal cancer. All patients' bleeding was stopped with colonoscopic techniques. There were no anastomotic leakages or strictures in these six patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anastomotic bleeding was a very rare complication after rectal cancer resection with stapled anastomosis. Colonoscopic treatment, including electrocoagulation and clipping, were both safely and effectively used in the early postoperative period to cease persistent anastomotic bleeding.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Changhai Road 168#, 200433 Shanghai, China. weizhang2000cn@163.com.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Enda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Ronggui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Chuangang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology*; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies