Indications and practice of diverting ileostomy after colorectal resection and anastomosis in ovarian cancer cytoreduction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors related with diverting ileostomy performance after colorectal resection and anastomosis, in advanced ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery. METHODS: We have previously demonstrated the risk factors associated with anastomotic leak after colorectal anastomosis: Advanced age at surgery, low serum albumin level, additional bowel resections, manual anastomosis and distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge. However, use of diverting ileostomy is strongly variable and depends on individual surgeon preferences and training. Eight hospitals participated in this retrospective study. Data of 695 patients operated for ovarian cancer with primary colorectal anastomosis were included (January 2010-June 2018). Fourteen pre-/intraoperatively defined variables were identified and analysed as justification factors for use of diverting ileostomy. RESULTS: The rate of diverting ileostomy in the entire cohort was 19.13% (133/695; range within individual centers 4.6-24.32%). Previous treatment with bevacizumab [OR 2.8 (1.3-6.1); p=0.01]; additional bowel resections [OR 3.0 (1.8-5.1); p<0.001]; extended operating time [OR 1.005 (1.003-1.006); p<0.001] and intra-operative red blood transfusion [OR 2.7 (1.4-5.3); p<0.001] were found to be independently associated with diverting ileostomy performance. Assuming a 7% AL rate cut-off, up to 51.8% of DI presented an AL risk below 7% and might have been spared. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors that drive the gynecologic oncology surgeons to perform a diverting ileostomy, seem to differ from the actual risk factors that we have identified to be associated with postoperative anastomotic leak. Broader awareness of the risk factors that contribute to a higher perioperative risk profile, will facilitate a better risk stratification process and possibly avoid unnecessary stoma formation in ovarian cancer patients.

Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after colorectal resection in ovarian cancer surgery: A multi-centre study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine pre-/intraoperative risk factors for anastomotic leak after modified posterior pelvic exenteration (MPE) or colorectal resection in ovarian cancer and to create a practical instrument for predicting anastomotic leak risk. BACKGROUND: In advanced ovarian cancer surgery, there is rather limited published evidence, drawn from a small sample, providing information about risk factors for anastomotic leak. METHODS: Eight hospitals participated in this retrospective study. Data on 695 patients operated for ovarian cancer with primary anastomosis were included (January 2010-June 2018). Twelve pre-/intraoperative variables were analysed as potential independent risk factors for anastomotic leak. A predictive model was created to stablish the risk of anastomotic leak for a given patient. RESULTS: The anastomotic leak rate was 6.6% (46/695; range 1.7%-12.5%). A total of 457 patients were included in the final multivariate analysis. The following variables were found to be independently associated with anastomotic leakage: age at surgery (OR 1.046, 95% CI 1.013-1.080, p = 0.005), serum albumin level (OR 0.621, 95% CI 0.407-0.948, p = 0.027), one or more additional small bowel resections (OR 3.544, 95% CI 1.228-10.23, p = 0.019), manual anastomosis (OR 8.356, 95% CI 1.777-39.301, p = 0.007) and distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge (OR 0.839, 95% CI 0.726-0.971, p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the low incidence of AL in ovarian cancer patients, a restrictive stoma policy based on the presence of risk factors should be the actual recommendation. Hand-sewn anastomosis should be avoided.