Necrotizing fasciitis as a complication of late anastomotic leak after anterior resection for rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic leak is a serious complication of rectal cancer surgery that leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Its incidence is 3-21%, usually appearing 5-7 days after surgery, although there are cases of late presentation as chronic anastomotic fistulas or sinuses.

CASE REPORT: We present three cases of patients who underwent anterior resection for rectal cancer and developed necrotizing fasciitis due to late anastomotic leaks.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that early and resolutive surgical treatment is recommended for chronic anastomotic fistulas or sinuses, even when asymptomatic, because of the associated risk of necrotizing fasciitis.