A number of clinical and laboratory findings may be found in a patient with a leaking colonic anastomosis.
Clinical findings:
(1) abdominal pain
(2) fever
(3) signs of peritonitis (rebound tenderness, etc)
(4) tachycardia
(5) purulent and/or feculent drainage
(6) gross enteric spillage with peritonitis noted at reoperation
(7) anastomotic breakdown at reoperation
Laboratory findings:
(1) leukocytosis
(2) positive bacterial cultures of drainage or from blood
Imaging studies:
(1) fluid collections within the abdomen
(2) leakage of contrast material
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Specialty: Gastroenterology, Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery
