A break in the line: anastomotic leak triggered by a traumatic fall

Anastomotic leak is a well-documented complication of anterior resection, a procedure commonly performed for colorectal carcinoma or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Multiple factors contribute to anastomotic leaks, often related to surgical technique or impaired bowel healing. However, blunt trauma or physical injury has not been widely recognised as a risk factor for this complication. This report presents the case of a 72-year-old gentleman who returned to the hospital with a severe anastomotic leak following a physical incident. This case aims to highlight the potential role of trauma as a contributing factor in patients with atypical presentations of anastomotic leak.