Presentation Information
[E2-7]The long-term effects of anastomotic leakage after colorectal cancer surgery on Quality of Life – A systematic review
Gielen AHC, Heuvelings DJI, Sylla P, van Loon YT, Melenhorst J, Bouvy ND, Kimman ML, Breukink SO (CoReAL collaborative)
Background Colorectal anastomotic leakage remains one of the most frequent and dreaded post- operative complications following colorectal resection. However, limited research has been conducted on the impact of this complication on quality of life of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to identify, appraise and synthesize the available evidence regarding quality of life in patients with anastomotic leakage following oncological colorectal resections in order to inform clinical decision-making.
Methods Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane library were searched for studies reporting on quality of life using validated questionnaires in patients with anastomotic leakage after oncological colorectal resections. The literature search was performed systematically and according to PRISMA guidelines. Outcomes of quality of life questionnaire scores of patients with and without anastomotic leakage were analysed.
Results Thirteen articles reporting on 4618 individual patients were included, among which 527 patients developed AL. Quality of life was evaluated utilizing ten distinct questionnaires administered at various postoperative time points, ranging from 1 month to 14 years. Quality of life outcomes differed across studies and time points, but overall scores were most negatively affected by AL up to twelve months postoperatively. Limitation of this study is the high heterogeneity between the included studies based on used questionnaires and time of assessment.
Conclusion The published evidence suggests that anastomotic leakage following oncologic colorectal resection is associated with impaired quality of life, especially within the first postoperative year. The impact of anastomotic leakage on quality of life warrants further evaluation and discussion with patients.
Methods Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane library were searched for studies reporting on quality of life using validated questionnaires in patients with anastomotic leakage after oncological colorectal resections. The literature search was performed systematically and according to PRISMA guidelines. Outcomes of quality of life questionnaire scores of patients with and without anastomotic leakage were analysed.
Results Thirteen articles reporting on 4618 individual patients were included, among which 527 patients developed AL. Quality of life was evaluated utilizing ten distinct questionnaires administered at various postoperative time points, ranging from 1 month to 14 years. Quality of life outcomes differed across studies and time points, but overall scores were most negatively affected by AL up to twelve months postoperatively. Limitation of this study is the high heterogeneity between the included studies based on used questionnaires and time of assessment.
Conclusion The published evidence suggests that anastomotic leakage following oncologic colorectal resection is associated with impaired quality of life, especially within the first postoperative year. The impact of anastomotic leakage on quality of life warrants further evaluation and discussion with patients.