“Right hemicolectomy is considered one of the simplest colorectal major procedures and is often considered an appropriate first step for residents and young fellows. Despite this, complications after right hemicolectomy for cancer are common, at ≈30%, and postoperative mortality is reported to be ≈3%. Anastomotic leak (AL) after right hemicolectomy for cancer is a major contributor to this short-term morbidity and mortality. The document AL rate after right hemicolectomy ranges widely, from 1.3% to 8.4%. This also has a significant impact on healthcare costs and major oncologic consequences, as demonstrated by the higher cancer recurrence rate after AL.”

“The present multicenter international snapshot audit has identified 3 surgeon-dependent variables significantly associated with AL: duration of surgery, surgical approach, and anastomotic technique. The knowledge of specific predictors for AL and postoperative morbidity and mortality is important for stratifying and personalizing the surgical risk. This can provide precise information to patients, enabling a more informed consent process. It can highlight high-risk patients who are likely to require intensive postoperative follow-up, and it may identify patients with modifiable risk factors who are likely to benefit from a period of preoperative optimization.”

2015 European Society of Coloproctology Collaborating Group. “Predictors for Anastomotic Leak, Postoperative Complications, and Mortality After Right Colectomy for Cancer: Results From an International Snapshot Audit.” Diseases of the colon and rectum vol. 63,5 (2020): 606-618. Full Text for Emory Users