Dehiscence of colorectal anastomosis is a serious complication that is associated with increased mortality, impaired functional and oncological outcomes. The hypothesis was that anastomosis reinforcement and vacuum trans-anal drainage could eliminate some risk factors, such as mechanically stapled anastomosis instability and local infection. Patients with rectal cancer within 10 cm of the anal verge and low anterior resection with double-stapled technique were included consecutively. A stapler anastomosis was supplemented by trans-anal reinforcement and vacuum drainage using a povidone-iodine-soaked sponge. Modified reinforcement using a circular mucosa plication was developed and used. Patients were followed up by postoperative endoscopy and outcomes were acute leak rate, morbidity, and diversion rate. The procedure was successfully completed in 52 from 54 patients during time period January 2019-October 2020. The mean age of patients was 61 years (lower-upper quartiles 54-69 years). There were 38/52 (73%) males and 14/52 (27%) females; the neoadjuvant radiotherapy was indicated in a group of patients in 24/52 (46%). The mean level of anastomosis was 3.8 cm (lower-upper quartiles 3.00-4.88 cm). The overall morbidity was 32.6% (17/52) and Clavien-Dindo complications ≥ 3 grade appeared in 3/52 (5.7%) patients. No loss of anastomosis was recorded and no patient died postoperatively. The symptomatic anastomotic leak was recorded in 2 (3.8%) patients and asymptomatic blind fistula was recorded in one patient 1/52 (1.9%). Diversion ileostomy was created in 1/52 patient (1.9%). Reinforcement of double-stapled anastomosis using a circular mucosa plication with combination of vacuum povidone-iodine-soaked sponge drainage led to a low acute leak and diversion rate. This pilot study requires further investigation.Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.: Trial registration number is NCT04735107, date of registration February 2, 2021, registered retrospectively.

• Klíčová slova
• Anastomotic dehiscence, Low anterior resection, Rectal cancer,
• MeSH
• anastomóza chirurgická MeSH
• drenáž MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory rekta * chirurgie   MeSH
• netěsnost anastomózy MeSH
• pilotní projekty MeSH
• rektum * chirurgie   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• sliznice MeSH
• vakuum MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

INTRODUCTION: A proactive approach is recommended in colorectal anastomosis leak treatment, and early diagnosis is very important. Early postoperative endoscopy would allow rapid diagnosis of anastomotic pathologies and consequent prompt intervention according to anastomotic disruption morphology. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of close endoscopic follow-up of all patients (including asymptomatic ones) in improving diagnosis of acute leak (AL) and reducing its complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 124 patients who had undergone rectum resection for rectal cancer with stapled anastomosis. Endoscopy was performed between the 7th and 10th postoperative day and 1 month postoperatively. For defect morphology assessment, a classification system was created based on four levels of severity. Photographic findings were evaluated by an independent, experienced gastroenterologist. RESULTS: Postoperative endoscopy revealed 28 (22.6%) patients with acute leakage. Initial endoscopy confirmed AL in 18 patients. Six (31.6%) patients were asymptomatic and 13 (68.4%) were symptomatic. The second endoscopy revealed another 9 (32.1%) leaks (4 (44.5%) asymptomatic and 5 (55.5%) symptomatic). Sixteen (57.1%) patients had grade A leakages, 7 (25.0%) had grade B leakages, and 5 (17.9%) had grade C leakages. Furthermore, 22 of 27 (81%) defects were located posterior and posterior-laterally. Fifteen (55.5%) defects were smaller than 1/3 the circumference, 7 (25.9%) affected 1/3-1/2 of the circumference, and 5 (18.5%) affected more than 1/2 of the circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of early endoscopy in postoperative management allows rapid diagnosis of AL and allows faster intervention, even in leaks that are clinically silent.

• Klíčová slova
• anastomotic leak, low anterior resection, rectal cancer,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH