Risk Factors for Anastomotic Leakage after Colorectal Surgery with Double-staple Technique Anastomosis: Impact of the Agatston Score

OBJECTIVES: Anastomotic leakage is associated with severe morbidity, mortality, and functional defects. Its risk factors remain unclear. However, blood perfusion may be a potential major risk factor. It has been reported that the Agatston score is an index for blood flow perfusion evaluation. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical indicators associated with anastomotic leakage, including the Agatston score, in patients who underwent colorectal surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 147 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery with the double-staple technique anastomosis for colorectal cancer between April 2015 and March 2020. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of anastomotic leakage. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify pre- and intraoperative risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 147 patients analyzed, anastomotic leakage occurred in 12 (8.16%). Male gender, history of angina and myocardial infarction, preoperative white blood cell count, the Agatston score, extent of bleeding, operation time, and intraoperative fluid volume were significantly related to a higher incidence of anastomotic leakage in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the incidence of anastomotic leakage was high in patients with a high Agatston score. CONCLUSIONS: The Agatston score can predict the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients following colorectal surgery. Thus, perioperative measures to prevent anastomotic leakage are recommended when a high Agatston score is observed. A prospective trial is required to demonstrate, with a high level of evidence, that the Agatston score can be useful as a risk score for anastomotic leakage following colorectal surgery.