Anastomotic Leakage in Colorectal Cancer Surgery in Syria: Risk Factors and Improvements Following Guideline Implementation - A Retrospective Cohort Study

Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains one of the most severe complications following colorectal cancer surgery, leading to substantial morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, increased healthcare costs, and elevated postoperative mortality. The risk and impact of AL are particularly pronounced in low-resource and conflict-affected settings, where limitations in infrastructure, surgical equipment, and perioperative monitoring restrict both prevention and timely management. Despite extensive literature from high-income countries, data from war-affected regions such as Syria remain scarce.

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Damascus Hospital, Syria, to identify risk factors associated with AL after elective sigmoid colon and rectal resections for colorectal adenocarcinoma and to evaluate outcomes following the implementation of revised institutional guidelines. The study comprised two sequential cohorts. The first cohort included patients operated on between January 2016 and March 2024 and served to identify patient and procedure related risk factors for AL. Findings from this initial analysis prompted revisions to local preoperative preparation and perioperative management protocols, with particular emphasis on nutritional optimization, correction of hypoalbuminemia, cautious use of perioperative blood transfusion, and intensified postoperative monitoring for high-risk patients.

A follow-up cohort was subsequently analyzed, including patients treated between April 2024 and October 2025 after implementation of the updated guidelines. Outcomes in this cohort were compared with those of the initial cohort to assess the clinical impact of the protocol changes. The primary outcome was the occurrence of anastomotic leakage, defined according to the International Study Group of Rectal Cancer (ISREC) criteria. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, perioperative blood transfusion, intensive care unit admission, and postoperative mortality.

All included patients underwent elective resection of the sigmoid colon or rectum for histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma. Emergency cases, non-neoplastic indications, and incomplete records were excluded. Surgical procedures were classified according to operative approach, anastomotic technique, anastomotic location, and use of diverting ileostomy. Data were retrospectively extracted from medical records and operative notes and verified through structured follow-up when available.

By comparing outcomes before and after guideline implementation, this study aims to demonstrate how locally driven, evidence-based modifications to perioperative care can reduce anastomotic leakage and improve surgical outcomes, even in settings constrained by prolonged conflict and limited resources.