Laparoscopic Repair of Colonic Anastomotic Leak in an Elderly Patient

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy to repair iatrogenic colonoscopic perforation of the colon has proven to be a safe, effective, and reproducible means to treat these potentially devastating emergencies. The use of the laparoscope provides exceptional diagnostic yield, and under the hand of a trained surgeon, produces excellent therapeutic results while minimizing recovery time for the patient. METHODS: We report the case of an 86-year-old man who underwent emergent laparoscopic repair of a postoperative anastomotic leak following sigmoid colectomy. RESULTS: The patient underwent laparoscopic oversewing of a colonic anastomotic leak, omental patch, and diverting loop ileostomy. The patient recovered fully from his emergency procedure without any further complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery can be extended to a wider variety of colorectal emergencies in a carefully selected group of patients, including the elderly.