Anastomic leaks treated with dual endo-sponges following rectal cancer surgery

Abstract

We describe a case of dual anastomotic leaks following a lower anterior rectal resection for a low-grade rectal adenocarcinoma diagnosed during a routine colonoscopy. The anastomotic defect was complex, characterized by two coexisting leaks located on the same anastomosis, resulting in an open circumference exceeding 300°. Dual Endo-SPONGEs ® were positioned via recto- igmoidoscopy and replaced every 3 to 4 days for 40 days. This approach achieved complete healing of both anastomotic leaks, being one of the first documented cases of complete closure of very large, dual, circumferential anastomotic leaks successfully managed with endoluminal vacuum therapy alone.