[Breakdown of the anastomosis after colectomy. The causes and prevention (author's transl)].

Over a period of 3 years the authors have carried out 184 colectomies with immediate restoration of continuity. In 25 of these operated patients the sutures broke down, i.e. 13.5% and 8 died, i.e. one patient out of 3. In the light of this series, the authors studied factors favouring breakdown, whether relative to the patient (age, sex, pathology, nature of the lesion) or the technic followed, i.e. in fact the surgeon (extent of the colonic resection, type and mode of anastomosis, modes of suture and drainage). Were studied also, in prevention, the first or contemporaneous construction of a colostomy, which according to the authors totally prevents breakdown of the subjacent anastomosis, but has its own complications.