The impact of multiple firings on the risk of anastomotic leakage after minimally invasive restorative rectal cancer resection and the impact of anastomotic leakage on long-term survival: a population-based study

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the anastomotic leakage (AL) rate and predictors for AL following minimally invasive restorative rectal resection (RRR) among rectal cancer patients managed according to up-to-date standardized treatment. Furthermore, we explored the impact of symptomatic AL on long-term survival. Methods The study cohort was rectal cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive RRR in Central Denmark Region between 2013 and 2017. Data was retrieved from a prospective clinical quality database and supplemented with data from medical records. The AL rate was calculated as the proportion of patients who developed symptomatic AL within 30 days. Predictors for AL were identified through logistic regression. The impact of AL on long-term survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression. Results AL occurred in 15.1% of 604 patients. The AL rate for males was 20.1% (95% CI 16.3-24.3) and 5.0% (95% CI 2.4-9.0) for females. Odds ratio (OR) of AL in females vs. males was 0.25 (95% CI 0.12-0.51). The use of at least three firings when transecting the rectum was associated with OR of 2.71 (95% CI 1.17-6.26) for AL. The 5-year survival for patients with vs. those without AL was 76.1% (95%CI 65.1-84.0) and 83.6% (95%CI 79.8-86.7), corresponding to adjusted hazard ratio of 1.43 (95%CI 0.84-2.41). Conclusion Symptomatic AL is still a challenge in a standardized setting using minimally invasive surgery in rectal cancer patients undergoing RRR, especially in men. Multiple firings should be avoided in transection of the rectum with an endoscopic stapler. AL had a statistical non-significant negative impact on survival.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the occurrence and predictors of anastomotic leakage (AL) in rectal cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive restorative rectal resection (RRR). The study found that AL is still a challenge, especially in men, and cautioned against using multiple firings when transecting the rectum. The impact of AL on long-term survival was not statistically significant.