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Purpose: Comparative studies on efficacy of treatment strategies for anastomotic leakage (AL) after low anterior resection (LAR) are almost non-existent. This study aimed to compare different proactive and conservative treatment approaches for AL after LAR. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all patients with AL after LAR in three university hospitals. Different treatment approaches were compared, including a pairwise comparison of conventional treatment and endoscopic vacuum-assisted surgical closure (EVASC). Primary outcomes were healed and functional anastomosis rates at end of follow-up. Results: Overall, 103 patients were included, of which 59 underwent conventional treatment and 23 EVASC. Median number of reinterventions was 1 after conventional treatment, compared to 7 after EVASC (p < 0.01). Median follow-up was 39 and 25 months, respectively. Healed anastomosis rate was 61% after conventional treatment, compared to 78% after EVASC (p = 0.139). Functional anastomosis rate was higher after EVASC, compared to conventional treatment (78% vs. 54%, p = 0.045). Early initiation of EVASC in the first week after primary surgery resulted in better functional anastomosis rate compared to later initiation (100% vs. 55%, p = 0.008). Conclusion: Proactive treatment of AL consisting of EVASC resulted in improved healed and functional anastomosis rates for AL after LAR for rectal cancer, compared to conventional treatment. If EVASC was initiated within the first week after index surgery, a 100% functional anastomosis rate was achievable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The study aimed to determine the effectiveness and direct medical costs of early surgical closure of the anastomotic defect after a short course of Endo-sponge® therapy of the presacral cavity, compared with conventional treatment in patients with anastomotic leakage after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis ( IPAA). Method Patients with anastomotic leakage after IPAA undergoing early surgical closure of the anastomotic defect after a short Endo-sponge® treatment were prospectively followed and compared with a consecutive cohort of patients with an anastomotic leak treated by creation of a loop ileostomy and occasional drainage of the presacral cavity. Results A total of 15 patients were treated with early surgical closure and 29 were treated conventionally. In the early surgical closure group, the Endo-sponge® treatment was continued for a median of 12 days [interquartile range ( IQR) 7-15 days] with a median of 3 ( IQR 2-4) Endo-sponge® changes. Secondary anastomotic healing was achieved in all patients ( n = 15) in the early surgical closure group compared with 52% ( n = 16) in the conventional treatment group ( P = 0.003). Closure of the anastomotic defect was achieved after a median of 48 (25-103) days in the early surgical closure group compared with 70 ( IQR 49-175) days in the conventional treatment group ( P = 0.013). A functional pouch was seen in 93% and 86% of the patients in each group. There was no significant difference in direct medical cost. Conclusion Early surgical closure after a short period of Endo-sponge® treatment is highly effective in treating anastomotic leakage after IPAA without increasing cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is still a common and feared complication after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. The multifactorial pathophysiology of AL and lack of standardised treatment options requires a multi-modal approach to improve long-term anastomotic integrity. The objective of the IMARI-trial is to determine whether the one-year anastomotic integrity rate in patients undergoing LAR for rectal cancer can be improved using a multi-interventional program.Methods: IMARI is a multicentre prospective clinical effectiveness trial, whereby current local practice (control cohort) will be evaluated, and subsequently compared to results after implementation of the multi-interventional program (intervention cohort). Patients undergoing LAR for rectal cancer will be included. The multi-interventional program includes three preventive interventions (mechanical bowel preparation with oral antibiotics, tailored full splenic flexure mobilization and intraoperative fluorescence angiography using indocyanine green) combined with a standardised pathway for early detection and active management of AL. The primary outcome is anastomotic integrity, confirmed by CT-scan at one year postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include incidence of AL, protocol compliance and association with AL, temporary and permanent stoma rate, reintervention rate, quality of life and functional outcome. Microbiome analysis will be conducted to investigate the role of the rectal microbiome in AL. In a Dutch nationwide study, the AL rate was 20%, with anastomotic integrity of 90% after one year. Based on an expected reduction of AL due to the preventive approaches of 50%, and increase of anastomotic integrity by a standardised pathway for early detection and active management of AL, we hypothesised that the anastomotic integrity rate will increase from 90 to 97% at one year. An improvement of 7% in anastomotic integrity at one year was considered clinically relevant. A total number of 488 patients (244 per cohort) are needed to detect this difference, with 80% statistical power.Discussion: The IMARI-trial is designed to evaluate whether a multi-interventional program can improve long-term anastomotic integrity after rectal cancer surgery. The uniqueness of IMARI lies in the multi-modal design that addresses the multifactorial pathophysiology for prevention, and a standardised pathway for early detection and active treatment of AL.Trial Registration: Trialregister.nl ( NL8261 ), January 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]