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Colorectal anastomotic leakage is a serious complication of colorectal surgery, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. In recent decades, many strategies aimed at lowering the incidence of anastomotic leakage have been examined. The focus of this review will be on mechanical aids protecting the colonic anastomosis against leakage. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Collaborative library for all papers related to prevention of anastomotic leakage by placement of a device in the colon. Devices were categorised as decompression devices, intracolonic devices, and biodegradable devices. A decompression device functions by keeping the anal sphincter open, thereby lowering the intraluminal pressure and lowering the pressure on the anastomosis. Intracolonic devices do not prevent the formation of dehiscence. However, they prevent the faecal load from contacting the anastomotic site, thereby preventing leakage of faeces into the peritoneal cavity. Many attempts have been made to find a device that decreases the incidence of AL; however, to date, none of the devices have been widely accepted.

Original publication

DOI

10.3748/wjg.v17.i40.4461

Type

Journal article

Journal

World J Gastroenterol

Publication Date

28/10/2011

Volume

17

Pages

4461 - 4469

Keywords

Anastomotic leakage, Colorectal surgery, Complication, Device, Rectum, Anastomosis, Surgical, Anastomotic Leak, Animals, Clinical Trials as Topic, Colon, Colorectal Surgery, Databases, Factual, Humans, Postoperative Complications, Retrospective Studies