Longer Operative Time and Intraoperative Blood Transfusion Are Associated with Postoperative Anastomotic Leak after Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery.

Anastomotic leak after lower gastrointestinal surgery is a complication with potential for high morbidity, mortality, and increased costs. A single-institution retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent lower gastrointestinal surgery between June 2009 and June 2013. Fifty-seven variables were included in our analysis and their association with postoperative anastomotic leak was examined.