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Anastomosis; ComplicationsNCT03148054

Computed Tomography vs. Endoscopy Study

An observational study of Anastomosis; Complications and Colon Disease, run by Spital Limmattal Schlieren at 1 site in Switzerland.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Patients undergoing elective surgery for left-sided colon resection are asked to participate in this study: Every patient undergoes two types of examinations (endoscopy, CT scan) on day 3, 4 or 5 postoperatively. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Computer Tomography and Endoscopy
How many people
416 participants
Where
1 siteSwitzerland
Study dates
17 Feb 2017to 31 Dec 2025
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: The study population entails all patients undergoing a colorectal left sided resection at the Spital Limmattal, Zurich, Switzerland according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Who may be able to join

  • Laparoscopic or open left sided colorectal resection with primary anastomosis (left hemicolectomy, sigmoid resection, anterior resection, segmental resection) and subtotal colectomy with anastomosis
  • Male and Female patients >18 years of age
  • Signed Informed Consent after being informed
  • Elective surgery

Who cannot join

  • Formation of a stoma during the initial operation
  • For i.v. contrast CT scan: creatinine > 110 umol/l and/or glomerular filtration rate GFR < 45 ml/min, measured in the standard blood test on postoperative day 2
  • Women who are pregnant. Women of childbearing age are regularly tested for possible pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are performed in the hospital at no charge
  • Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participant
  • Participation in another study with an investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study
  • Emergency intervention

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Switzerland1 site
  • Spital Limmattal

    Schlieren, Canton of Zurich, 8952

Other trials in Switzerland

About this study

Official title: Computed Tomography With Rectal Contrast and Early Endoscopy for the Detection of Anastomotic Leaks After Left Sided Colorectal Resection. A Single Center, Prospective Trial.

Patients undergoing elective surgery for left-sided colon resection are asked to participate in this study: Every patient undergoes two types of examinations (endoscopy, CT scan) on day 3, 4 or 5 postoperatively. These two procedures are subject to investigation in terms of their accuracy (sensitivity, specificity) in detection of anastomotic leaks. The patients are followed up until day 42 postoperatively. There are no other specific tests or examinations within the study. Information and informed consent are obtained preoperatively.

Read the detailed description

On day 3, 4 or 5 postoperatively, all patients with colorectal resection and anastomosis will undergo a CT scan with intravenous (i.v.) and rectal contrast enema and a flexible endoscopy. Both are currently routine examinations. CT scan is performed before endoscopy because contrast enema clears the rectum and anastomotic area and no further cleaning measures are necessary. The timing of the CT scan and the endoscopy is chosen because early signs of anastomotic leak should be present and thus early therapeutic interventions before the development of peritonitis is possible. The standard treatment is not altered with the exception of the two described procedures. Due to infrastructural issues and weekends the CT scan and the endoscopy can be performed on either day (3,4,5 postoperatively).

The study is to start after Ethical approval. With a sample size of 400 patients, and an annual case load of 80-100 patients (minus drop outs of 10%), the study is planned to be finished (last patient processed) 31.12.2020. Data analysis and final processing will take another 6-8 months.

All patients with colorectal disorders planned for surgery are seen in the outpatient clinic of one the four staff surgeons performing colorectal resections. This appointment is at least 1 week before surgery. During the appointment, patients are fully informed on the disease, indication, peri- and postoperative process and risk of treatment. During this visit eligibility is analysed, and information as well as informed consent are obtained.

During the entire duration of the study, all serious adverse events (SAEs) that may be causally related to the study intervention are collected and documented in source documents. Reportable events are recorded in the case report form (CRF). Study duration encompassed the time from when the participant signs the informed consent until the last protocol-specific procedure has been completed, including a safety follow-up period.

The analysis entails tests for paired categorical (McNemar test) and continuous (Student's independent t-test, Wilcoxon test) data. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy will be calculated with 95% confidence interval. The significance level is set to p<0.05.

Being tested
Computer Tomography and Endoscopy
Keywords
Anastomosis, Colon, CT, Endoscopy, Enema, Detection leak, Anastomotic leak
Medical subject headings
Colonic Diseases, Anastomotic Leak

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Computer Tomography and EndoscopyDevice

    Pelvic CT scan with i.v. and rectal contrast (Siemens Healtheneers, Erlangen, Germany) with the following scan parameters: collimation 0.6 mm, pitch 1.2 mm, CareKV with reference 120 mAs and reference 120 kV, rotation time 0.5 sec. Portal venous phase (individually tailored contrast media injection of Xenetix 300, Guerbet GmbH) and rectal contrast (500cc: 470cc water + 30cc Telebrix® gastro, a water soluble iodinated contrast agent, Guerbet GmbH).

    Endoscopy takes 5 minutes: A gastroscope with a diameter of 10mm is used for inspection of anus, rectum, anastomosis incl. measurements (distance to dentate line, diameter of anastomosis) and distal part of colon (to rule out ischemia) during short term insufflation of the rectum with CO2. No biopsies are taken. Digital photo documentation will be provided. In case of anastomotic insufficiency: optional sedation of patient and clip closure with endoscopic OTSC (over the scope clip) system.

Study groups in NCT03148054
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Study groupPatients undergoing elective left sided colon surgery
Receives: Device: Computer Tomography and Endoscopy

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Diagnosis of anastomotic leaks after left sided colon resection by Endoscopy

    Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy of the diagnosis of anastomotic leak with endoscopy.

    Measured: On postoperative day 4

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Diagnosis of anastomotic leaks after left sided colon resection by Computer Tomography

    Comparison of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy of the diagnosis of Anastomotic Leak of endoscopy and pelvic CT scan with rectal contrast.

    Measured: On postoperative day 4

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted10 May 2017
  2. Study start17 Feb 2017
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2025
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case only
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
416 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03148054
Sponsor's protocol ID
2016-01722
Other IDs
2016
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
16 Apr 2017
Last updated
4 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Kingham TP, Pachter HL. Colonic anastomotic leak: risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. J Am Coll Surg. 2009 Feb;208(2):269-78. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2008.10.015. Epub 2008 Dec 4. No abstract available.

    PubMed 19228539
  • Bakker IS, Grossmann I, Henneman D, Havenga K, Wiggers T. Risk factors for anastomotic leakage and leak-related mortality after colonic cancer surgery in a nationwide audit. Br J Surg. 2014 Mar;101(4):424-32; discussion 432. doi: 10.1002/bjs.9395.

    PubMed 24536013
  • Karliczek A, Harlaar NJ, Zeebregts CJ, Wiggers T, Baas PC, van Dam GM. Surgeons lack predictive accuracy for anastomotic leakage in gastrointestinal surgery. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2009 May;24(5):569-76. doi: 10.1007/s00384-009-0658-6. Epub 2009 Feb 17.

    PubMed 19221768
  • Facy O, Paquette B, Orry D, Binquet C, Masson D, Bouvier A, Fournel I, Charles PE, Rat P, Ortega-Deballon P; IMACORS Study. Diagnostic Accuracy of Inflammatory Markers As Early Predictors of Infection After Elective Colorectal Surgery: Results From the IMACORS Study. Ann Surg. 2016 May;263(5):961-6. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001303.

    PubMed 26135691
  • Giaccaglia V, Salvi PF, Antonelli MS, Nigri G, Pirozzi F, Casagranda B, Giacca M, Corcione F, de Manzini N, Balducci G, Ramacciato G. Procalcitonin Reveals Early Dehiscence in Colorectal Surgery: The PREDICS Study. Ann Surg. 2016 May;263(5):967-72. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001365.

    PubMed 26528879
  • Hirst NA, Tiernan JP, Millner PA, Jayne DG. Systematic review of methods to predict and detect anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery. Colorectal Dis. 2014 Feb;16(2):95-109. doi: 10.1111/codi.12411.

    PubMed 23992097
  • Li VK, Wexner SD, Pulido N, Wang H, Jin HY, Weiss EG, Nogeuras JJ, Sands DR. Use of routine intraoperative endoscopy in elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery: can it further avoid anastomotic failure? Surg Endosc. 2009 Nov;23(11):2459-65. doi: 10.1007/s00464-009-0416-4. Epub 2009 Mar 20.

    PubMed 19301071
  • Shamiyeh A, Szabo K, Ulf Wayand W, Zehetner J. Intraoperative endoscopy for the assessment of circular-stapled anastomosis in laparoscopic colon surgery. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2012 Feb;22(1):65-7. doi: 10.1097/SLE.0b013e3182401e20.

    PubMed 22318063
  • Aryaie AH, Singer JL, Fayezizadeh M, Lash J, Marks JM. Efficacy of endoscopic management of leak after foregut surgery with endoscopic covered self-expanding metal stents (SEMS). Surg Endosc. 2017 Feb;31(2):612-617. doi: 10.1007/s00464-016-5005-8. Epub 2016 Jun 17.

    PubMed 27317034
  • Blumetti J, Abcarian H. Management of low colorectal anastomotic leak: Preserving the anastomosis. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2015 Dec 27;7(12):378-83. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v7.i12.378.

    PubMed 26730283
  • Kornmann VN, Treskes N, Hoonhout LH, Bollen TL, van Ramshorst B, Boerma D. Systematic review on the value of CT scanning in the diagnosis of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2013 Apr;28(4):437-45. doi: 10.1007/s00384-012-1623-3. Epub 2012 Dec 14.

    PubMed 23239374
  • Kornmann VN, van Ramshorst B, Smits AB, Bollen TL, Boerma D. Beware of false-negative CT scan for anastomotic leakage after colonic surgery. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2014 Apr;29(4):445-51. doi: 10.1007/s00384-013-1815-5. Epub 2013 Dec 20.

    PubMed 24356897

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Anastomosis; Complications and Colon Disease, run by Spital Limmattal Schlieren at 1 site in Switzerland.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Diagnosis of anastomotic leaks after left sided colon resection by Endoscopy (time frame: On postoperative day 4). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03148054, which also lists 12 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 May 2026.

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