BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with intestinal anastomotic leakage in order to practically assist in surgical decision making. METHODS: A retrospective review of an academic surgery database was performed over 5 years to identify patients who had intestinal (small bowel and colon) anastomoses to determine independent predictors of anastomotic leakage. RESULTS: Over the study period, 682 patients were identified with intestinal anastomoses; the overall leak rate was 5.6% (38/682). In bivariate analysis, 9 factors were associated with anastomotic leaks. Of these, 3 were found to be independent predictors of anastomotic leakage using a logistic regression model: anastomotic tension (odds ratio [OR] = 10.1, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.3 to 76.9), use of drains (OR = 8.9, 95% CI 4.3 to 18.4), and perioperative blood transfusion (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.4 to 12.3). CONCLUSIONS: The recognition of factors associated with anastomotic leakage after intestinal operations can assist surgeons in mitigating these risks in the perioperative period and guide intraoperative decisions.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with intestinal anastomotic leakage in order to practically assist in surgical decision making. METHODS: A retrospective review of an academic surgery database was performed over 5 years to identify patients who had intestinal (small bowel and colon) anastomoses to determine independent predictors of anastomotic leakage. RESULTS: Over the study period, 682 patients were identified with intestinal anastomoses; the overall leak rate was 5.6% (38/682). In bivariate analysis, 9 factors were associated with anastomotic leaks. Of these, 3 were found to be independent predictors of anastomotic leakage using a logistic regression model: anastomotic tension (odds ratio [OR] = 10.1, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.3 to 76.9), use of drains (OR = 8.9, 95% CI 4.3 to 18.4), and perioperative blood transfusion (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.4 to 12.3). CONCLUSIONS: The recognition of factors associated with anastomotic leakage after intestinal operations can assist surgeons in mitigating these risks in the perioperative period and guide intraoperative decisions.