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Risk of NSAIDs on Anastomotic Leak for Rectal Surgery

Early Postoperative Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Anastomotic Leakage for Rectal Cancer

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06155175
Enrollment
1969
Registered
2023-12-04
Start date
2023-05-01
Completion date
2024-02-25
Last updated
2025-05-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anastomotic Leak, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal

Brief summary

Conflicting reports of the association between early postoperative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administration and anastomotic leak (AL) after rectal surgery have continued. The definition of AL and the exposure of NSAIDs differ from each other among studies, which may result in the different conclusions. The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the effect of NSAIDs on anastomotic leak from new angels.

Detailed description

Concerning about the side effects induced by opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gained its popularity in ERAS protocols. NSAIDs competitively inhibits the activity of cyclooxygenases (COXs), which are involved in migration of epithelial cell and mucosal restitution, angiogenesis and collagen synthesis during healing. Conflicting reports of the association between early postoperative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administration and anastomotic leak (AL) after rectal surgery have continued. Notably, the definition of AL and the exposure of NSAIDs (i.e. NSAIDs administration) differ from each other among the studies, which may result in the different conclusions. In concrete terms, the definition of NSAIDs administration timing varies from the first day to the first week after surgery, while the AL was also defined in multiple ways (timing varies from 14 to 90 days postoperatively, or only leaks with operative intervention included). Most previous studies suggested that early and late AL are different entities with different risk factors. These interesting evidences indicate reconsidering the effect of NSAIDs on AL is needed. Hence, investigators defined the NSAIDs administration as at least once in the early postoperative period--the day of and the day after surgery (NSAID group), to avoid the inclusion of patients started on NSAIDs secondary to a complication. At the same time, investigators also classified AL into early AL (confirmed within 6 days) and late AL (over 6 days). Moreover, concerning the higher rate of AL in rectal surgery than colonic surgery and the trend of minimally invasive surgery, investigators performed the current study, aiming to clarify the association between early postoperative NSAIDs and anastomotic leak in rectal surgery.

Interventions

DRUGNSAIDs

The exposure to NSAIDs: NSAIDs was used at least once within the first day after surgery

Sponsors

Third Military Medical University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum * Age over 18 years old * Patients underwent non-emergency minimally invasive surgery with a primary anastomosis

Exclusion criteria

* Incomplete medical records * Patients with distant metastasis before surgery * Patients with multiple primary colorectal carcinomas

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakwithin 30 daysThe primary outcome was anastomotic leak within 30 days after surgery. AL was defined as observing clinical signs of leak (such as high fever, abdominal pain, increasing of inflammatory factors in blood, purulent or fecal drainage from the drain, wound or vagina), and was confirmed by digital imaging or reoperation. Early AL was defined as being confirmed within 6 days postoperatively while late AL was defined as being confirmed after 6 days postoperatively

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The incidence of postoperative compolicationswithin 30 daysSecondary outcomes include wound infection, anastomotic bleeding and obstruction.

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026