Defining Anastomotic Leaks After Colorectal Surgery: Results of a National Survey.

Abstract Background Anastomotic leaks are a dreaded complication after colorectal surgery. Although anastomotic leak is often used as a metric to compare patient outcomes, a standard definition does not exist. Materials and methods A web-based survey was developed and distributed to US surgeons. Respondents were queried on the definition of anastomotic leaks using a 5-point Likert scale to rate different scenarios related to colorectal surgery. Results Of potential 2209 respondents, 649 (29%) responded to the survey. The majority of respondents was men (76%) and practiced colon and rectal surgery as their primary specialty (89%). Contrast extravasation at the anastomosis, regardless of timing related to the surgery, is the clinical scenario with greatest consensus (>85%). 50% of surgeons do not believe that an abscess near the anastomosis in an asymptomatic patient defines a leak. Conclusions These results highlight the pressing need for standardization of the anastomotic leak definition given the implications on outcomes measurement, research trials, and health care reimbursement.