Curriculum · Surgery
Anastomotic leak after bowel resection
What it is
An anastomotic leak is what is looked for after colonic resection and anastomosis. Two things are asked of it in the material: read the CRP early enough to suspect it, and once it is suspected do not delay source control.
How it presents
The worked case is post-op day 6 after colonic resection and anastomosis: the patient is tachycardic, febrile and has abdominal pain. The CT then shows a peri-anastomotic collection with free air, and the hemodynamics are stable.