Bile acid levels predict anastomotic leakage and safe discharge

Bile acid levels in drainage fluid demonstrate high negative predictive value for early identification of anastomotic leakage post minimally invasive rectal cancer resection. In a study with 419 patients, those with leakage had significantly elevated bile acid levels compared to non-leakage cases on postoperative days 3 and 5. Furthermore, of the 384 who met discharge criteria, 99% were safely discharged, with anastomotic leakage rates of only 0.5% and readmission rates at 0.3%.