Correlation between Colon Perfusion and Postoperative Fecal Output through a Transanal Drainage Tube during Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a major problem in patients who undergo operations for rectal cancers. Various solutions, such as ICG angiography and transanal drainage tubes (TDT), have been proposed to prevent AL. Although the microbiota has recently been recognized to play a role in the pathogenesis of AL, mainly from the results of experimental animal models, it remains unclear whether this mechanism can occur in humans. In this study, we investigated the relationship between intestinal perfusion and fecal volume through TDT in laparoscopic low anterior resection, and found that the need of a proximal shift of the transection site due to insufficient intestinal perfusion was significantly associated with high fecal volume, which might reflect the correlation between intestinal perfusion and postoperative diarrhea. In addition, we found that the intensity of ICG fluorescence at the transection site was significantly associated with fecal volume through TDT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical study to examine the relationship between intestinal perfusion and fecal volume through TDT. ABSTRACT: In order to prevent anastomotic leakage (AL) following rectal surgery, various solutions—such as intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography and transanal drainage tubes (TDT)—have been proposed. This study investigated the relationship between intestinal perfusion and fecal volume through TDT in laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR). A total of 59 rectal cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic LAR with both intraoperative ICG angiography and postoperative TDT placement were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between intestinal perfusion and fecal volume through TDT was examined. Based on the ICG fluorescence, the transection site was shifted more proximally in 20 cases (33.9%). Symptomatic AL occurred in seven patients (11.8%). The AL rate of the patients whose daily fecal volume exceeded 100 mL/day in 2 or more days was significantly higher than that of those whose daily fecal volume exceeded it in 0 or 1 day (44.4% vs. 6.0%; p < 0.01). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the need for a proximal shift of the transection site was significantly associated with a high fecal volume. The quantitative analysis of ICG fluorescence indicated that Fmax (the fluorescence difference between the baseline and maximum) was significantly associated with fecal volume through TDT.