Anastomotic Leak: How to Prevent and Manage the Worst-Case Scenario

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

12:05 PM - 12:50 PM ET

Co-Moderator(s)

JH

Jason Hall, MD, MPH, FASCRS

All disclosed relationships have been reviewed and managed prior to the start of this activity. Any relevant relationships will be listed below. This individual has no financial relationships to disclose
Cyrus Jahansouz, MD

Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

All disclosed relationships have been reviewed and managed prior to the start of this activity. Any relevant relationships will be listed below. This individual has no financial relationships to disclose

CME .75 hours

Anastomotic leaks remain among the most feared complications in gastrointestinal surgery, associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and cost. This multidisciplinary symposium will provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, prevention, early detection, and management strategies for anastomotic leaks. Faculty experts will present evidence-based approaches to risk assessment, intraoperative decision-making, enhanced recovery pathways, and emerging technologies in leak detection and control. Case-based discussions will highlight real-world challenges and evolving best practices across colorectal, foregut, and bariatric surgery.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Describe the pathophysiologic mechanisms contributing to anastomotic failure in gastrointestinal surgery.
Identify patient- and procedure-related risk factors associated with increased leak rates.
Evaluate current strategies for intraoperative leak testing, including the utility and limitations of air, dye, and endoscopic methods.
Discuss early postoperative signs and biomarkers that may indicate an anastomotic leak.

Presentations:

12:05 PM - 12:10 PM ET

Introduction
12:10 PM - 12:20 PM ET

Pathophysiology and Risk Factors
Faculty: Benjamin D. Shogan, MD (he/him/his) – University of Chicago
12:20 PM - 12:30 PM ET

Quality Improvement Efforts to Reduce Anastomotic Leak and Strategies for Leak Detection
Faculty: Patricia Sylla, MD, FACS, FASCRS (she/her/hers) – Mount Sinai Hospital
12:30 PM - 12:40 PM ET

Intraoperative Management of Worst Case Scenario
Faculty: Marylise Boutros, MD, FRCSC, FACS, FACRS (she/her/hers) – Cleveland Clinic Florida
12:40 PM - 12:50 PM ET

Case Questions