Minimally invasive ileostomy as treatment procedure in anastmotic leak management, after elective surgery for rectal carcinoma

Background: Anastomotic leakage following elective colorectal surgery is relatively common and serious complication, potentially life-threatening for the patients, leading to distortion in their quality of life. Up to now there aren’t clearly defined reasons why it occurs and many efforts are made to predict and manage it afterwards. Defunctioning ileostomy failed to reduce the rates of anastomotic leaks, but was proven to be effective in developed peritonitis management and local control of the complications. Relaparoscopy and ileostomy in strictly selected patients- without septic complications and who have good compliance, has a potential to me eligible therapeutic modality to treat anastomotic insufficiencies on unprotected colorectal anastomosis. Aims: Sharing one centers experience with patients, managed with re-laparoscopy and defunctioning ileostomy due to anastomotic leak, as effective therapeutic approach after elective anterior resection of the rectum in colorectal cancer patients. Methods: In this retrospective study we elected 12 patients, re-operated after anastomotic leakage, in the Clinic of Endoscopic, Endocrine surgery and Coloproctology in Military Medical Academ