Association of early diarrhea after the low anterior resection of rectal cancer and anastomotic leakage / 中华胃肠外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the association of early diarrhea(postoperative day 1 to 7) and anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 192 cases (group A, tumor from the anal verge 4-7 cm) from May 2004 to May 2007 and 236 cases(group B) from July 2007 to May 2010 in our hospital who received low anterior resection of rectal cancer were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In group A, the incidence of early postoperative diarrhea was 19.3%(37/192), of which 9 cases were treated with anti-diarrhea drugs. The morbidity of anastomotic leakage in patients with diarrhea was significantly higher than those without early diarrhea(16.2% vs. 5.2%, P<0.05). In group B, the incidence of early postoperative diarrhea was 16.5%(39/236). All the patients were treated with anti-diarrhea drugs. There was no difference in the morbidity of anastomotic leakage between patients with diarrhea and those without early diarrhea(16.2% vs. 5.2%, P<0.05). There was no difference in early diarrhea between groups A and B(P>0.05). However, the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients with early diarrhea was lower in group B(P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Early diarrhea after the low anterior resection of rectal cancer may indicate anastomotic leakage. Treatment of early postoperative diarrhea may reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage.</p>