Background: The impact of systemic steroid therapy on surgical outcome after elective left-sided colorectal resection with rectal anastomosis is not well known.
Methods: We compared 606 consecutive patients including 53 patients who were on steroids and undergoing surgery between 1995 and 2005.
Results: Postoperative mortality and anastomotic leakage rates were equivalent. The postoperative complications rate, especially infections, was higher in steroid-treated patients than in non-steroid-treated patients: 38% (20 of 53 patients) versus 25% (139 of 553 patients), respectively (P = .046). In the steroid group, univariate analysis revealed 3 significant risk factors for postoperative complications: blood transfusion, preoperative anticoagulation, and chronic respiratory failure. In a multivariate analysis, blood transfusion and chronic respiratory failure remained independent factors for postoperative complications.
Conclusion: Patients on steroids have a higher incidence of postoperative complications after elective left-sided colorectal resection with rectal anastomosis.