AzTrials
AzTrials

Rectal Cancer SurgeryNCT07656974

Impact of IMA Occlusion on Anastomotic Leakage

An observational study of Rectal Cancer Surgery and Anastomotic Leak Rectum, run by Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

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

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Rectal cancer is primarily treated with surgery, including low anterior resection or ultra-low anterior resection depending on tumor characteristics. Anastomotic leakage is one of the most serious postoperative complications and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 years
How many people
123 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 May 2025to 1 May 2026
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 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Adult patients who have undergone low/ultra-low anterior resection due to rectal cancer.

Who may be able to join

  • ICD C20 Patients diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the rectum
  • Patients who have undergone laparoscopic or open surgery with low anterior resection or ultra low anterior resection due to rectal cancer

Who cannot join

  • Patients with a history of abdominal aorta surgery/grafting
  • Patients diagnosed with vascular, autoimmune, or rheumatological diseases.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital

    Istanbul, 34480

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: The Effect of the Degree of Inferior Mesenteric Artery Occlusion on Anastomotic Leakage After Rectal Cancer Surgery

Rectal cancer is primarily treated with surgery, including low anterior resection or ultra-low anterior resection depending on tumor characteristics. Anastomotic leakage is one of the most serious postoperative complications and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Established risk factors include male sex, preoperative radiotherapy, low anastomosis, advanced age, comorbidities, and vascular disease.

Atherosclerosis may contribute to anastomotic leakage by reducing blood flow and impairing tissue perfusion at the anastomotic site. The inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), a major source of blood supply to the colorectal region, may be affected by atherosclerotic narrowing or occlusion, potentially increasing the risk of postoperative leakage.

The aim of this study is to assess the degree of IMA occlusion using routine preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans obtained for rectal cancer staging and to investigate its association with anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery. Identification of patients with severe IMA occlusion may help guide the selective use of protective stomas to reduce the risk of this complication.

Read the detailed description

Rectal cancer can be diagnosed either after the onset of symptoms or through screening of asymptomatic individuals. Although surgery remains the cornerstone of curative treatment, rectal cancer may be managed with local excision or radical resection depending on the clinical stage, size, and location of the tumor. In terms of radical resection, patients may undergo low anterior resection or ultra-low anterior resection.

Anastomotic leakage is a serious complication following rectal surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Elderly patients and those with comorbidities have a higher risk of death after the occurrence of an anastomotic leak. The main risk factors for anastomotic leakage include male sex, preoperative radiotherapy, low anastomosis (less than 10 cm from the anal verge), a high burden of comorbidities, advanced age, and a history of vascular disease.

Atherosclerosis increases the risk of anastomotic leakage by causing inadequate perfusion of the anastomosis due to tissue ischemia and impaired microcirculation. When atherosclerosis develops, the intima of the arteries thickens, the vessel lumen narrows, blood flow decreases, and the vasomotor function of blood vessels is impaired. In addition, collateral circulation is reduced, thereby increasing the risk of anastomotic leakage.

The superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery are primarily responsible for the blood supply to the colorectal region. During colorectal surgery, the normal blood flow to the bowel is disrupted and reduced, which may result in local intestinal ischemia.

The primary aim of our study is to evaluate and grade the diameter of the inferior mesenteric artery using preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography, a simple, rapid, and readily available imaging modality routinely performed for staging purposes in patients with rectal cancer. By identifying patients with a high degree of inferior mesenteric artery narrowing or occlusion, we aim to determine whether the creation of a protective stoma should be recommended to reduce the risk of postoperative anastomotic leakage following rectal cancer surgery.

Keywords
Rectal cancer surgery, Anastomotic leakage, Inferior mesenteric artery occlusion
Medical subject headings
Anastomotic Leak

What participants receive

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

Study groups in NCT07656974
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Group 1Patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer and have anastomotic leakage.
Group 2Patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer and did not have anastomotic leakage.

What is being measured

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

  1. The diameter of the inferior mesenteric artery

    The effect of the diameter of the inferior mesenteric artery on the leak rate was measured double-blindly by preoperative computed tomography.

    Measured: Preoperative

Timeline

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

  1. First posted18 Jun 2026
  2. Study start1 May 2025
  3. Primary completion1 Feb 2026
  4. Study completion1 May 2026

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
Cohort
Time perspective
Retrospective
Enrolment
123 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07656974
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025-98
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
16 Jun 2026
Last updated
18 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to patient confidentiality and institutional data protection policies.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Rectal Cancer Surgery and Anastomotic Leak Rectum, run by Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

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 2 inclusion and 2 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 18 Jun 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?

The diameter of the inferior mesenteric artery (time frame: Preoperative). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
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 18 Jun 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in