Effect of reinforcement suture on anastomotic healing in rectal and sigmoid tumor resections, single-center experience: a retrospective case-controlled study

PURPOSE: Healing of colorectal anastomosis is burdened with a number of risk factors and the development of leak carries with it higher morbidity and mortality associated not only with worse quality of life but also worse oncological outcomes. The purpose of the study was an evaluation of the effect of reinforcement suture in the healing of stapler rectal anastomosis and risk factors for anastomotic leakage in mid, upper rectal and sigmoid tumors. METHODS: A total of 357 patients who underwent curative resection for rectal or sigmoid tumor over 5 years were analyzed. Risk factors, baseline demographic and clinical data, and presence of leak were recorded. All statistical analyses were carried out at a significance level of P<0.05. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-one patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. The overall incidence of leak was 2.8% in the group with reinforcement suture and 6.3% in the group without reinforcement suture. Because of the low incidence of leak the results were not statistically significant. Further results also show that none of the monitored parameters (age, weight, body mass index, tumor distance, preoperative radiotherapy, tumor stage, type of surgery) were significant predictors of anastomotic leakage. CONCLUSION: Although the reinforcement suture is a safe and simple option for anastomosis protection after rectal or sigmoid resections, its statistical significance was not demonstrated in our study.