Endoscopic Treatment of Anastomotic Bleeding in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Bleeding from the stapled line is a rare but potentially lethal complication that requires a proper and immediate management. Treatment for stapled anastomotic hemorrhage may be operative or conservative. We report three cases of anastomotic stapled line bleeding after colorectal surgery successfully treated endos-copically. Laparoscopic High Anterior Resection with a trans anal anastomosis according to Knight-Griffen with circular a stapler was performed for adenocarcinoma, rectal endometriosis and diverticular disease. All three patients had major rectal bleeding within 24 hours from surgery. 1 patients had endoscopy before the end of the surgical procedure. Endoscopic wash out with removal of the clots and infiltration of the bleeding sites along the stapled line with Adrenaline 1 : 10000 (2 ml) was performed achieving a good hemostasis. Early endoscopy is a safe and efficient treatment in colorectal anastomotic bleeding.