Recent research suggests a significant link between gut microbiota and anastomotic leakage (AL) in colorectal surgery. Patients who develop AL have a higher abundance of bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family and lower microbial diversity.

Considering the bibliographic data, our main interest is to analyze the microbial population of patients in our social environment and then look for differences in the microbiome between those who have suffered an anastomotic dehiscence (around 8-9% according to the results of our hospital's Surgery Department) and those who have not.

The study is designed as a prospective, descriptive, non-interventional research project in which some variables will be analyzed transversally. Patients will be selected by the clinical members of the research team from within the population in our setting who will undergo abdominal surgery involving colorectal intestinal anastomosis. Once accepted, stool samples will be requested prior to surgical preparation, during surgery, and afterwards to determine their microbiome; in this way, we will attempt to correlate the evolution of their anastomosis with their intestinal bacterial population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have undergone colorectal intestinal anastomosis.
• Signing of the informed consent form.
• Age ≥18 years with good functional status.
• Availability for postoperative follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Emergency surgery.
• Intra-abdominal sepsis or previous dehiscence.
• Severe immunosuppression.
• Use of antibiotics in the 3 months prior to preoperative preparation.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Patients will be selected by the clinical members of the research team from within the population in our setting who will undergo abdominal surgery involving colorectal intestinal anastomosis. To identify patients, the Surgery Department will analyze those who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria designed for this project during the daily morning clinical session, and patients will then be offered the opportunity to accept/decline participation.

Publication of results in open access. Presentation at national surgery conferences.

Between 6-12 months

Open access