ANASTOMOTIC FISTULAS FOLLOWING SURGERY FOR COLO-RECTAL CANCER – 6 - YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Abstract:
Anastomotic leaks are the most serious complication of colo-rectal surgery, generating significant morbidity and mortality rates. We performed a 6-year retrospective study in which we included patients who developed anastomotic colo-rectal fistulas after resections for malignant disease. We assessed the risk factors for this complication, its management and results. Twenty-two patients aged between 34 and 82 years were enrolled, with an equal number of males and females (11). Following the surgical procedures, 4 types of anastomotic leaks resulted: ileo-colic (6 cases), colo-colic (8 cases), colo-rectal (5 cases) and low colo-rectal (3 cases). Conservative management was applied for 10 patients while the other 12 required surgical treatment. The overall mortality of this study group was 13.6%. Better optimisation of surgical procedures and preoperative patients’ co-morbidities might decrease the rate of this complication. Therapeutic management is not standardised but adapted to each patient’s condition, but conservatory management should be initiated to all eligible patients.
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