Abstract
Anastomotic leak (AL) following colorectal surgery is a devastating complication.
It is associated with high mortality rates, increased length of stay, and—in the setting
of cancer—higher disease recurrence and worse overall survival. Further, it is associated
with significantly increased costs, both for the acute hospital setting and the higher-intensity
postdischarge care requirements these patients often experience. Identification of
factors that prognosticate AL is important, as it may enable earlier detection and
even patient optimization prior to surgery.
Keywords
leak - anastomosis - detection - mortality
