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. 2015 Jul-Sep;19(3):e2015.00045.
doi: 10.4293/JSLS.2015.00045.

Early Diagnosis of Colonic Anastomotic Leak With Peritoneal Endoscopy

Sergej Zogovic  1 , Morten Gaarden  2 , Frank Viborg Mortensen  3
Affiliations

Early Diagnosis of Colonic Anastomotic Leak With Peritoneal Endoscopy

Sergej Zogovic et al. JSLS. 2015 Jul-Sep.

Abstract

Background and objectives: At present, we do not have a reliable method for the early diagnosis of colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL). We tested peritoneal flexible endoscopy through a port placed in the abdominal wall in the early postoperative course, as a new diagnostic method for detection of this complication and evaluated the suggested method for safety, feasibility, and accuracy.

Methods: Ten swine were randomized into 2 groups: group A, colorectal anastomosis without leakage; and group B, colorectal anastomosis with leakage. A button gastrostomy feeding tube was inserted percutaneously into the peritoneal cavity. Colorectal anastomosis (with or without defect) was created 48 hours after the first operation. The swine were examined by peritoneal flexible endoscopy 8 and 24 hours after the colonic operation, by a consultant surgeon who was blinded to both the presence and the allocated location of the of the anastomotic defect.

Results: None of the animals showed signs of illness 48 hours after the intraperitoneal gastrostomy tube placement. More than half of the anastomosis circumference was identified in 60 and 10% of the animals at endoscopy 8 and 24 hours, respectively, after the anastomosis was created. Excessive adhesion formation was observed in all animals, irrespective of AL. The sensitivity and specificity of endoscopy in detecting peritonitis 24 hours after AL were both 60%.

Conclusions: Peritoneal endoscopy is a safe and simple procedure. Visualization of the peritoneal cavity in the early postoperative course was limited due to adhesion formation. Further studies are needed to clarify the accuracy of the procedure and to address additional methodological concerns.

Keywords: Anastomotic leakage; Colorectal anastomosis; Early diagnosis; Peritoneal flexible endoscopy; Randomized trial.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Depiction of an anastomosis cross section.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Part of the colorectal anastomosis seen on peritoneoscopy 8 and 24 hours after surgery.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Distribution of adhesions in animals with and without AL, 8 and 24 hours after surgery.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Postmortem examination of a sufficient anastomosis, misinterpreted on peritoneoscopy as an AL.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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