Open AccessAdverse Effects of Anastomotic Leakage on Local Recurrence and Survival After Curative Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Wang Shuanhu,
Liu Jingjing,
Wang Shan,
Zhao Hongyun,
Ge Sitang,
Wang Wenbin
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
world journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1432-2323
pISSN - 0364-2313
DOI - 10.1007/s00268-016-3761-1
Subject(s) - medicine , hazard ratio , meta analysis , anastomosis , colorectal cancer , surgery , confidence interval , cochrane library , adverse effect , survival rate , abdominal surgery , cancer
Background Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication associated with anterior resection for rectal cancer, the long‐term effects of which are unclear. Therefore, a systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted to evaluate the impact of anastomotic leakage on disease recurrence and survival. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases from their inception to January 2016. Studies evaluating the oncologic impact of anastomotic leakage were included in the meta‐analysis. Outcome measures were local recurrence, overall survival, cancer‐specific survival, and distant recurrence. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) was calculated using random effects models. Results Fourteen studies containing 11,353 patients met inclusion criteria. Anastomotic leakage was associated with a greater local recurrence (HR 1.71; 95 % CI 1.22–2.38) and decreased in both overall survival (HR 1.67; 95 % CI 1.19–2.35) and cancer‐specific survival (HR 1.30; 95 % CI 1.08–1.56); anastomotic leakage did not increase distant recurrence (HR 1.03; 95 % CI 0.76–1.40). Conclusions Anastomotic leakage was associated with high local recurrence and poor survival (both overall and cancer‐specific), but not with distant recurrence.