Abstract
PURPOSE: Anastomotic leaks (AL) remain a major complication following right colectomy for colon cancer. This multicenter, prospective, observational study evaluated the efficacy of Glubran 2, a cyanoacrylate-based sealant, in reducing the incidence of AL by reinforcing ileocolic anastomoses. METHODS: The study enrolled 380 patients undergoing right colectomy for colon cancer across 7 Italian hospitals. Glubran 2 was applied to reinforce ileocolic anastomoses. The primary endpoint was a 50% reduction in AL incidence from a baseline of 6.18% within 10 days after surgery. Secondary endpoints included examining the correlation between AL and preexisting risk factors and determining the rate of anastomotic bleeding. Statistical analyses employed binomial tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: The AL rate was reduced to 1.85% compared to the reference rate of 6.18% (P<0.01). Glubran 2 exhibited a protective effect even in patients with preexisting risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, or prior surgeries; none of these factors was significantly associated with AL (P>0.05). Surgical technique (P=0.687), anastomosis technique (P=0.998), and anastomosis type (P=0.998) did not influence AL rates. Operation time was similar across groups (P=0.613), and anastomotic bleeding occurred in 1.3% of cases, with no association with AL (P=0.989). CONCLUSIONS: Glubran 2 was safely applied to ileocolic anastomoses, significantly reducing AL rates and potentially providing a protective effect even in patients with known risk factors. Its hemostatic and bacteriostatic properties support improved postoperative outcomes, highlighting its potential as an effective adjunct in colorectal surgery. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and explore broader applications.