Intraoperative Testing of Colorectal Anastomosis - Air or Water (Methylene Blue)?

Not Applicable

• Conditions: ColoRectal Cancer; Anastomotic Leak; Colonic Diverticulitis; Anastomotic Complication; Anastomosis

• Registration Number: NCT03316677
• Lead Sponsor: Meir Medical Center

Brief Summary

A leak from a colorectal anastomosis is a post-operative complication surgeons fear the most, following colonic resection. Over the years, there have been multiple suggestions for intraoperative tests for the integrity of the colorectal anastomosis.

Two of the most common tests that are performed routinely are:

1. Air tight leak test - filling the pelvis with saline and insufflating air trans anal - looking for air bubbles in the saline filled pelvis.

2. Injecting diluted dye (methylene blue) trans anal, and looking for blue dye stains on gauze pads covering the outer side of anastomosis.

The aim of the study is to compare the two methods, and to assess if there is a superior method. A secondary aim is to establish standards to perform the test, mainly to assess the appropriate pressure to apply on the anastomosis.

In this prospective study patients scheduled to undergo colonic resection of their distal part of the colon/ rectum with colorectal anastomosis, will have both testing methods performed sequentially and will be followed post-operative to assess the yield and sensitivity of the testing methods.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2017-01
• Study First Submitted: 2017-01-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-10-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-10-17
• Study First Posted: 2017-10-20
• Last Update Posted: 2017-10-20
• Study Start: 2017-11-01
• Primary Completion: 2019-12
• Study Completion: 2022-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 150

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients over the age of 18 undergoing elective colonic resection of their distal part of the colon/ rectum with colorectal anastomosis in a laparoscopic or open approach for a benign or malignant colonic disease.

Exclusion Criteria

• Emergent colonic resections,
• Colonic resections with no colorectal anastamosis

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
the predictive value of intraoperative anastomosis testing on anastomotic leak.	30 days	The presence or absence of a post-operative clinical anastomotic leak

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The sensitivity of the 2 methods of intraoperative anastomosis testing.	Both findings will be obvious (if present) immediately after the test is performed	We will compare the occurence of air leak with the occurence of methylene blue leak in each patient