Elevated Lactate Levels Predict Anastomotic Leakage Risk

Elevated postoperative lactate levels significantly predict anastomotic leakage (AL) following minimally invasive esophagectomy, with an occurrence rate of 8.9% among evaluated patients. Analysis revealed that lactate measured on postoperative day 2 serves as a strong independent predictor of AL, showcasing an odds ratio of 11.9. Patients with higher lactate not only experienced severe AL more frequently, but also had an earlier onset and longer treatment duration, highlighting the clinical importance of monitoring lactate levels post-surgery.