Does the degree of calcification of the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery on preoperative computerized tomography predict the risk of anastomotic leak after right colectomy? A single center retrospective study

Summary Anastomotic leak is a serious complication of colonic surgery. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of vascular calcifications of the celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery in patients undergoing elective right colectomy, and particularly their relationship to the risk of anastomotic leak. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective analysis of preoperative abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scans of patients who underwent right colectomy at the Vendean Departmental Hospital (France) between January 2011 and December 2016. We established a calcification score, which was correlated to the incidence of anastomotic leak and to the patients’ American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. Results The charts of 250 patients were reviewed. Twenty-three patients had a postoperative anastomotic leak. A stratified analysis revealed that the risk of developing an anastomotic leak was statistically significantly increased in patients whose calcification score was equal to or greater than 3 ( P P Conclusion A calcification score ≥ 3 correlates to an increased risk of anastomotic leak. The analysis of CT findings is simple, easy and reproducible. This calcification score should be confirmed by a prospective study.