Treatment of Anastomotic Leaks With EndoVac After Low Anterior Resection in Colorectal Cancers.

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic drainage should preferably be tried unless the abscess caused by the anastomotic leak is generalized and disseminated into the abdominal cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of patients treated with EndoVac.

PATIENT AND METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent low anterior resection and were treated using the EndoVac therapy system due to the detection of an anastomotic leak were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty-three of the patients with detection of anastomotic leaks were treated using EndoVac therapy system. The mean number of application of the EndoVac therapy system was 5.8 (1 to 12) for each patient. Mean duration of hospitalization of the patients was 24.5 (9 to 92) days. Five patients underwent a second operation during the follow-up period after application of the EndoVac therapy system. In our study, the number of patients recovering without the need for additional treatment is 30 (30/33). Our success rate was 90.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

The EndoVac therapy system is an alternative and helpful system in the treatment of colorectal anastomotic leaks without reoperation needed. It can also prevent permanent stoma.