Colorectal anastomotic healing and intracolonic bypass procedure

Abstract

Intestinal anastomoses continue to be complicated by leakages even in the best of hands despite the development of new surgical techniques, suture materials, devices, and stapling instruments. One may explain such persistence of anastomotic leakage on the basis of the dynamic effect that multiple factors have on the healing of an anastomosis. Awareness of these factors and proper precautions by the surgeon can make a high-risk anastomosis less prone to leakage. The intracolonic bypass procedure is an alternative to a temporary colostomy. It does not prevent an anastomotic dehiscence but can prevent anastomotic leakage with its associated complications in those situations where dehiscence is most likely to occur.