Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Anastomotic Leak

Abstract Anastomotic leaks have significant consequences for patients and the surgeons who care for them. Prevention of anastomotic leaks will require improved understanding of the actual mechanisms by which they occur. Early detection, perhaps by more aggressive use of endoscopy or biomarkers of inflammation, may diminish the deleterious effects of a leak and allow for greater use of nonsurgical treatments. Reduction in the frequency and severity of complications due to anastomotic leak may eventually allow surgeons to move away from the current liberal use of “temporary” diverting stomas, which are, in and of themselves, a source of substantial physical and psychological morbidity and expense.