Efficacy of air leak test in detection of anastomotic leaks after rectal excision: a retrospective case-controlled study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Although its efficacy is uncertain, an intraoperative air leak test (ALT) is commonly used to detect mechanical defects following bowel anastomosis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ALT to detect anastomotic leakage (AL) following rectal excision.

Methods

We reviewed our database for patients with rectal cancers who had undergone curative surgery between January 2012 and January 2018. Patients were grouped according to whether or not an ALT was performed. Propensity score analyses were performed to compare outcomes for groups in a 1:1 case-matched cohort.

Results

In total, 1,191 patients underwent rectal excision; 438 (219 in each group) formed the case-matched cohort for analysis. The protective stoma rate was 16.0% and 14.6% in the ALT and the no

SUBMITTER: Song SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10083345 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature