title: Significant elevation of carcinoembryonic antigen levels in abdominal drains after colorectal surgery may indicate early anastomotic dehiscence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anastomotic leak after colorectal surgery is a severe complication leading to major postoperative morbidity and mortality. Leaks typically present on the 5th to 6th postoperative days; however, early anastomotic dehiscence occurs occasionally. This study evaluated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in abdominal drains after colorectal resection to assess its potential as an early marker to predict anastomotic leaks.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 105 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Fluids from the patients' abdominal drain system were sampled daily for up to 3 days after surgery and evaluated for CEA levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Early anastomotic dehiscence occurred in 3 patients (2.8%) and was associated with a significant elevation of CEA in drain fluids (above 1,000 ng/mL). However, in patients who developed late leaks (7 patients, 6.7%) no significant elevation of CEA was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant elevation of CEA levels in abdominal drains in the early postoperative period may indicate early anastomotic dehiscence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery B, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky Street, Kfar Saba 44281, Israel; The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Liron
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berkovich
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery B, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky Street, Kfar Saba 44281, Israel; The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Naama
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery B, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky Street, Kfar Saba 44281, Israel; The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Ronen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghinea
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery B, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky Street, Kfar Saba 44281, Israel; The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: avitalshmuel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Avital
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen
keywords: Anastomotic leak; CEA; Colorectal surgery; Drain fluids