Diagnostic biomarkers of early anastomotic leakage prediction after colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leaks still represent a major possibly of a life-threatening complication after colorectal surgery. This study aims to assess biomarkers for early detection of AL following colorectal surgery. METHODS: Clinical, laboratory and statistical study was performed. Blood serum levels of biomarkers - IL-6, TNF-alpha, MMP-9 and PCT - in blood serum and drainage discharge secretion were examined, in 40 patients at second and fifth POD after rectal resection. RESULTS: From the studied proteins IL-6, TNF-alpha, MMP-9 and PCT, in a total of all 40 patients, was found that statically significant results for a potential predictive role for anastomotic leakage have PCT, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: Studied biomarkers that can identify patients at high risk of developing an AL preoperatively or predict an early AL. By predicting and identifying anastomotic leakage these biomarkers have the potential to significantly change the postoperative outcome in patients with rectal resection and primal anastomosis.