Role of Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Anastomotic Leakage After Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal surgery is difficult to diagnose because of its varied presentation and is often identified when the patient becomes critically ill. Biomarkers contribute a significant weightage in identifying AL at earlier stages. Hence, this review assessed the diagnostic role of biomarkers in AL following colorectal surgery. Methodology: A literature search was electronically conducted in 3 search engines: Pubmed, Google search, and journal on the web till February 2022. Observational studies of both retrospective and prospective nature were included. Open meta-analyst software was used to assess the prevalence of AL. Results: 13 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria. A pooled prevalence of 8% was noted for AL in colorectal surgeries (95%CI; 6.3:10.1). In the present review, sensitivity ranged from 53.8% to 90% and specificity from 69.6% to 100%. Conclusion: Biomarkers proved to be a reliable predictor of AL in patients who have undergone colorectal surgery.