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Multicenter Study
. 2022 Jan 1;275(1):e189-e197.
doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000003853.

LekCheck: A Prospective Study to Identify Perioperative Modifiable Risk Factors for Anastomotic Leakage in Colorectal Surgery

Daitlin E Huisman  1 , Muriël Reudink  2 , Stefanus J van Rooijen  3 , Boukje T Bootsma  1 , Tim van de Brug  4 , Jurre Stens  5 , Wim Bleeker  6 , Laurents P S Stassen  6 , Audrey Jongen  7 , Carlo V Feo  8 , Simone Targa  9 , Niels Komen  9 , Hidde M Kroon  10 , Tarik Sammour  10 , Emmanuel A G L Lagae  11 , Aalbert K Talsma  12 , Johannes A Wegdam  13 , Tammo S de Vries Reilingh  13 , Bob van Wely  14 , Marie J van Hoogstraten  14 , Dirk J A Sonneveld  15 , Sanne C Veltkamp  16 , Emiel G G Verdaasdonk  17 , Rudi M H Roumen  2 , Gerrit D Slooter  2 , Freek Daams  1
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

LekCheck: A Prospective Study to Identify Perioperative Modifiable Risk Factors for Anastomotic Leakage in Colorectal Surgery

Daitlin E Huisman et al. Ann Surg. .

Abstract

Objective: To assess potentially modifiable perioperative risk factors for anastomotic leakage in adult patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Summary background data: Colorectal anastomotic leakage (CAL) is the single most important denominator of postoperative outcome after colorectal surgery. To lower the risk of CAL, the current research focused on the association of potentially modifiable risk factors, both surgical and anesthesiological.

Methods: A consecutive series of adult patients undergoing colorectal surgery with primary anastomosis was enrolled from January 2016 to December 2018. Fourteen hospitals in Europe and Australia prospectively collected perioperative data by carrying out the LekCheck, a short checklist carried out in the operating theater as a time-out procedure just prior to the creation of the anastomosis to check perioperative values on 1) general condition 2) local perfusion and oxygenation, 3) contamination, and 4) surgery related factors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify perioperative potentially modifiable risk factors for CAL.

Results: There were 1562 patients included in this study. CAL was reported in 132 (8.5%) patients. Low preoperative hemoglobin (OR 5.40, P < 0.001), contamination of the operative field (OR 2.98, P < 0.001), hyperglycemia (OR 2.80, P = 0.003), duration of surgery of more than 3 hours (OR 1.86, P = 0.010), administration of vasopressors (OR 1.80, P = 0.010), inadequate timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis (OR 1.62, P = 0.047), and application of epidural analgesia (OR, 1.81, P = 0. 014) were all associated with CAL.

Conclusions: This study identified 7 perioperative potentially modifiable risk factors for CAL. The results enable the development of a multimodal and multidisciplinary strategy to create an optimal perioperative condition to finally lower CAL rates.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flow diagram of study selection.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Differences in subjective local perfusion rates given by surgeons between patients without colorectal anastomotic leakage (CAL) (Dark colored bars, n = 1366) versus patients with CAL (Light colored bars, n = 125).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Percentage of patients with colorectal anastomotic leakage (CAL) related to the amount of perioperative potentially modifiable risk factors (low preoperative hemoglobin, contamination of the operative field, hyperglycemia, duration of surgery of more than 3 h, administration of vasopressors, inadequate timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, and application of epidural analgesia).
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Comment in

References

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