title: Risk of anastomotic leak after laparoscopic versus open colectomy.
abstract: Anastomotic leak following colorectal surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. With the widespread adoption of laparoscopy, data from initial clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of laparoscopic when compared to open surgery may not currently be generalizable. We assess the risk of anastomotic leak after laparoscopic versus open colorectal resection using a nationwide database with standardized definitions.
  
  
  
  The 2012-2013 ACS-NSQIP targeted colectomy data were queried for all elective colorectal resections. Characteristics were compared for those patients undergoing laparoscopic versus open operations. Univariable and multivariable analyses, followed by a propensity score-matched analysis, were performed to assess the impact of laparoscopy on the development of an anastomotic leak.
  
  
  
  Of 23,568 patients, 3.4 % developed an anastomotic leak. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with a leak rate of 2.8 % (n = 425) and open surgery, 4.5 % (n = 378, p < 0.0001). Patients who developed a leak were more likely to die within 30 days of surgery (5.7 vs. 0.6 %, p < 0.0001). Patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery compared to open were younger (61 vs. 63 years, p = 0, p = 0.045) and with fewer comorbidities. On univariable analysis laparoscopic surgery was associated with reduced odds of developing an anastomotic leak (OR 0.60, p < 0.0001), and this remained after adjusting for all significant preoperative and disease-related confounders (OR 0.69, 95 % CI 0.58-0.82). A propensity score-matched analysis confirmed benefit of laparoscopic surgery over open surgery for anastomotic leak.
  
  
  
  Laparoscopic colectomy is safe and associated with reduced odds of developing an anastomotic leak following colectomy when controlling for patient-, disease- and procedure-related factors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, Herbert Irving Pavilion, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, Floor: 8, New York City, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Alice C A
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
authors.forename: Cody
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiuzan
authors.affiliation: Division of Colorectal Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, Herbert Irving Pavilion, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, Floor: 8, New York City, NY, 10032, USA. rpk2118@cumc.columbia.edu.|Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA. rpk2118@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Ravi P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kiran
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057216:Propensity Score; D012306:Risk
keywords: Anastomotic leak; Colorectal resection; Laparoscopy; Outcomes