ArticleJournal of surgical oncology2025
Anastomotic Leak Following Colon Cancer Resection: An Independent Predictor of Non-Oncologic Mortality and Morbidity.
Article in Journal of surgical oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Outcomes of laparoscopic reoperation for anastomotic leak-associated peritonitis following colorectal cancer surgery: a comparative study.Surgical endoscopy · 2026Article
- Postoperative anastomotic leakage after colon cancer surgery may reduce long-term survival.International journal of colorectal disease · 2026Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAnastomotic leak (AL) is a serious complication following colon cancer resection, but its long-term impact on survival and recurrence remains uncertain.
objectiveTo evaluate the association between AL and postoperative outcomes, including overall survival (OS), replase-free survival (RFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS), and to identify factors associated with increased risk of leak.
methodsThis retrospective cohort study included 2217 patients with histologically confirmed Stage I-III colon adenocarcinoma who underwent curative-intent resection with primary anastomosis across three tertiary centres (2009-2025). Patients with benign pathology, carcinoma in situ (Stage 0), metastatic disease, or missing follow-up data were excluded. ALs were defined as clinically and/or radiologically confirmed disruptions occurring within 30 days postoperatively. No leaks were observed beyond this period. Outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox regression models.
resultsALs, either clinical or radiological, occurred in 2.0% of patients (n = 44). Leaks were associated with significantly increased 30-day mortality (6.8% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001), reoperation (86.4% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001), and hospital stay (median 21 vs. 7 days, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, AL independently predicted 30-day mortality (AOR 13.6, 95% CI 9.9-18.6) and return to theatre (AOR 396.2, 95% CI 218.8-717.4). AL was associated with worse OS and DFS, but not CSS (p = 0.66).
conclusionsAL is an independent predictor of postoperative morbidity and long-term nononcologic mortality in colon cancer patients. While OS and DFS were significantly reduced, CSS remained unaffected, a unique finding that challenges assumptions about leak-related oncologic progression. These results suggest that excess mortality stems from systemic complications and care disruption rather than cancer recurrence. Preventive strategies and early leak detection in high-risk patients are essential to improving outcomes.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.