Anatomy/Surgery

Question 1

Risk factors for anastomotic leak (AL) in ovarian cancer patients

Answer 1

• Hand-sewn anastomosis***(increases risk 8-fold)
• Low serum albumin <3g/dL
• multiple small bowel resections
• age at surgery
• distance to anal verge

diverting ileostomy(DI) has been suggested as method to decrease AL in high-risk patients, however, no evidence on when to clearly recommend DI based on risk factors. DI decreases severity of AL consequences but not the incidence of AL in ov ca. DI also associated with decreased QOL