Abstract
Association between watery stools early after anterior resection in colorectal cancer surgery and anastomotic leakage. Objective: To investigate the effect on anastomotic leakage of watery stools passed early after anterior resection for colorectal cancer. Subjects and Methods: The risk factors for anastomotic leakage were analyzed in 90 patients who had undergone anterior resection for RS, Ra, or Rb rectal cancer with or without a covering stoma in our hospital. Results: Sixteen (20%) of the 80 patients without a covering stoma developed anastomotic leakage. Univariate analysis of the risk factors for anastomotic leakage showed that a higher Brinkman index, the presence of diabetes, a tumor closer to the anal verge, greater operative blood loss, initial passage of watery stools, and earlier passage of initial stools were associated with a significantly higher incidence of anastomotic leakage. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference in the number of days before the passage of the first stools. Two (20%) of the 10 patients with a covering stoma who had more than one risk factor developed anastomotic leakage. Conclusion: The early passage of watery stools after surgery is a risk factor for anastomotic leakage.
