Every leak counts, every leak matters

Cancer has become such a well-understood disease in the public domain that most know what it means for individuals, their families, and loved ones. The cancer journey can be about days spent waiting in the hospital, the worry of treatment costs, the stress of operations, the uncertainty, and the clock that feels like it’s ticking with no guarantees. However, the cancer journey is about more than just survival.

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in Europe, a pressing concern with extensive implications, impacting countless lives.[1] It can cause complications for patients that range from subtle and temporary, to life-long and life-changing. Therefore, it’s crucial we continue to raise awareness of colorectal cancer to get people diagnosed faster. Data from the EU shows that when diagnosed at stage I, the overall 5-year survival rate jumps to 90% as compared to 10% when diagnosed at the later metastatic stage IV.[2] ?

As these stark statistics show, there is a real need to boost the chances of survival for those who are diagnosed at a later stage. Since we are always looking to make a difference – one area we can make an impact in is ?product innovation related to anastomotic leakage.

Anastomotic leakage is a real focus at this year’s ESCP - European Society of Coloproctology conference. It is a potentially severe complication occurring after colorectal surgery that can lead to a higher risk of death, permanent stoma formation, and cancer recurrence.[3]

Anastomotic leaks can affect survival for those with colorectal cancer

Anastomotic leakage can have a significant negative impact on both short and long-term outcomes including disease-free survival, overall survival, and local recurrence.3 ?These leaks are dependent on several factors and have been reported to occur in 8.6% of cases.[4] They can have severe, even fatal, consequences for patients:

1.????? Leaks can lengthen hospital stays by as much as 26 days.[5]

2.????? An estimated 65% [NS1]?of leaks result in a permanent stoma in specific patient populations.[6]

3.????? Leaks result in a mortality rate of 2–16.4%.[7]??

Beyond the direct impact on patients, anastomotic leaks can impact healthcare systems through direct costs and have severe consequences on the environment. A single leak is equivalent to:

1.????? 1,303 kg CO2 or five return flights from London to Rome.[8]

2.????? 1,803 m3 of water or 17 times the annual water usage of an average European Household.8

While the environmental implications are staggering, the long-term effects of anastomotic leaks are something patients may have to live with for the rest of their lives, even after recovery.

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At Johnson & Johnson MedTech, our aim is to address every single leak; we believe that every leak counts, every leak matters. We are proud to have a presence at ESCP, reinforcing our commitment to the colorectal cancer community and supporting surgeons to reduce one of their biggest complications. We are firmly committed to innovating products that can help reduce anastomotic leaks and improve outcomes, alongside helping surgeons gain access to the best technologies to do so.

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This follows our recent efforts to enhance screening rates, treatment effectiveness and ultimately save lives.

To learn more about ESCP, this year’s theme of ‘Innovating for a Global Future in Coloproctology,’ and view the meeting online, visit the conference website.

[1] United European gastroenterology. Public Affairs. CRC infographics. Available at: https://ueg.eu/p/78. Last accessed: September 2024.

[2] Digestive Cancers Europe. Colorectal Cancer Screening in Europe. Available at: https://www.digestivecancers.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/466-Document-DiCEWhitePaper2019.pdf. Published 2019. Last accessed September 2024.

[3] Zarnescu EC, Zarnescu NO, Costea R. Updates of Risk Factors for Anastomotic Leakage after Colorectal Surgery. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(12):2382.

[4] 2017 European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) Collaborating Group. The 2017 European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) international snapshot audit of left colon, sigmoid and rectal resections – Executive Summary. Colorectal Dis. 2018;20 Suppl 6:13-14.

[5] Hammond J, Lim S, Wan Y, Gao X, Patkar A. The burden of gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks: an evaluation of clinical and economic outcomes. J Gastrointest Surg. 2014 Jun;18(6):1176-85.

[6] Jutesten H, Draus J, Frey J, Neovius G, Lindmark G, Buchwald P, Lydrup ML. High risk of permanent stoma after anastomotic leakage in anterior resection for rectal cancer. Colorectal Dis. 2019 Feb;21(2):174-182.

[7] Chiarello MM, Fransvea P, Cariati M, Adams NJ, Bianchi V, Brisinda G (2022) Anastomotic leakage in colorectal cancer surgery. Surg Oncol 40:101708.

[8] Bischofberger S, Adshead F, Moore K, et al. Assessing the environmental impact of an anastomotic leak care pathway Surg Open Sci. 2023;14:81–86.?

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