Retrospective cohort study links anastomotic leak to increased morbidity and 30-day mortality in colon cancer patients, suggesting systemic complications play a key role.
In this cohort of 2217 patients, anastomotic leak occurred in 2.0%, leading to 6.8% 30-day mortality compared to 0.4% in patients without leaks.
Multivariable analysis identified anastomotic leak as a strong predictor of return to theatre, with an odds ratio of 396.2.
While overall survival and disease-free survival were reduced following leaks, cancer-specific survival remained unaffected, suggesting complications arise from systemic health issues.