The analysis of fecal calprotectin as a diagnostic marker for anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery: a pilot study

A prospective pilot study was conducted on 11 patients with rectal cancer to investigate fecal calprotectin (FC) as a diagnostic tool for detecting anastomotic leakage (AL) after low anterior resection. Among the 11 patients, 1 patient (9.1%) experienced AL (Clavien-Dindo Grade IIIa). During the post-operative course until post-operative day (POD) 5, the white blood cell count of the patient with AL was within the normal range. The C-reactive protein level in the AL and non-AL groups showed a similar time course. On the other hand, the FC level in patient with AL dramatically increased on POD5, while the FC level of the non-AL group remained relatively stable. There was no significant correlation between the preoperative FC level and the tumor circumference rate, tumor size, depth of invasion or stage. This pilot study showed the possibility of FC as a useful diagnostic tool for the detection of AL after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.