Association between Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Anastomotic Leak after Gastrointestinal Surgeries

Patients who developed an anastomotic leak (AL) after gastrointestinal surgeries had significantly higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels compared to those who did not. This association was observed in retrospective studies and among white patients, but not consistently in prospective studies and among East Asian patients. These findings suggest a potential link between preoperative NLR and postoperative AL. However, further research with larger and more diverse cohorts is needed to validate these results and explore contributing factors.