Progress in diagnosis and treatment of colorectal anastomotic leakage

［Abstract］ Colorectal anastomotic leakage (CAL) is a serious complication after colorectal surgery, with an incidence of 2%-30% and a mortality rate of 2%-16.4%. The influencing factors of CAL include intestinal preparation, emergency operation, anastomosis condition, operation scope and patient’s own condition. CAL can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, prolonged hospital stay, reoperation and permanent ostomy, increase mortality rate and shorten survival time. The incidence of CAL can be reduced by optimizing intestinal preparation, taking oral probiotics, and using biological materials to protect the anastomotic orifice. Early diagnosis can be made based on direct and indirect signs of CAL. Considering the severity of anastomotic leakage, concurrent intra-abdominal infection, nutritional status of the patient, the possibility of spontaneous healing of anastomotic leakage, the primary disease and the treatment options, the development of an individualized treatment plan is helpful to improve the success rate of treatment of CAL. This article reviews the influential factors of CAL, the related research on reducing the incidence of CAL, early diagnosis, treatment and the existing problems and thinking.