The AL rate after colectomy is ≈5% to 6%.1 It is associated with significant mortality and morbidity and is also the leading cause … Difficulty breathing; Rapid breathing; Drainage from a surgical wound Despite advances in modern colorectal surgery, anastomotic leak continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the choice of modality for diagnosis, treatments, and consequences of anastomotic leakage. Most develop within 3 days after surgery. Variety of causes: Anastomotic leak is a term used to describe the breakdown between two surgically connected sites and is often used to describe GI anatomy. BACKGROUND In this article, we have focused specifically on anastomotic leakage (AL) after colonic surgery. INTRODUCTION. We sought to assess the impact of surgeon volume on leak rate and to better understand the relationship of a leak to postoperative mortality. Anastomotic leaks happen in 1.5% to 6% of bypass procedures, depending on the type of surgery. Anastomotic leakage: Risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. AL after colonic surgery is a dreaded complication. A leak may happen up to several weeks later. The influence of anastomotic leakage (AL) on local recurrence rates and survival in rectal cancer remains controversial. Anastomotic leakage is a dreaded major complication after colorectal surgery. But it is uncertain exactly which patient populations are at risk of death from the leak. This may be where two pieces of bowel are brought together, or the outflow of an organ such as the liver or kidney is connected. Reducing gastrointestinal anastomotic leak rates: review of challenges and solutions Benjamin R Phillips Department of Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA Abstract: Various techniques and interventions have been developed in an effort to obviate gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks. Risk of colonic anastomotic leak continues to range between 1.5% and 23%[1-5], with low colorectal and coloanal anastomoses posing the highest risk[].Leaks also result in increase in hospital costs and increase length of stay[7,8]. Methods: This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent surgery that included a colorectal anastomosis due to colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or benign polyps. Fever. Stomach or chest pain. Anastomotic leakage is when the anastomosis does not heal correctly, causing internal fluid to leak out. Symptoms of an anastomotic leak include: Rapid heart rate. Anastomotic leak in this study was defined as (1) leakage of bowel content and/or gas from the surgical connection between the 2 bowel ends into the abdomen or pelvis with either spillage and/or fluid collection around the anastomotic site or extravasation through a wound, drain site, or anus; (2) clinical manifestation causing fever, The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of asymptomatic anastomotic leakage (AAL) and symptomatic anastomotic leakage (SAL) on short- and long-term outcome after curative rectal cancer resection. Anastomotic leakage is the most serious complication specific to intestinal surgery and ranges from 2.9% to as high as 15.3%. At least one third of the mortality after colorectal surgery is attributed to leaks. The overall incidence of anastomotic dehiscence and subsequent leaks is 2 to 7 percent when performed by experienced surgeons. 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