Colorectal anastomosis, “Minor leak-major outcomes”

Abstract

Complications like anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal procedures are associated with significant morbidity. Subclinical AL can be misleading due to clinical behaviour and hence poses a diagnostic dilemma. Sometimes Radiological investigations are adjunct but may be detouring in diagnostic progression. We present a case of subclinical AL where near-miss in diagnosis led to unfavourable outcomes. In susceptible patients, diagnostic results need to be interpreted with caution in background of clinical scenario. Surgeons and radiologists need to be well familiarised of different presentations of postoperative complications after lower gastrointestinal surgery and their manifestations on imaging.