PhD defence C.L. (Cloë) Sparreboom

This thesis aimed to explore clinical concepts of colorectal AL in order to minimize the incidence and the consequences of this postoperative complication. Anastomotic leakage (AL) remains the most dreaded complication after colorectal resection. Although the outcomes of colorectal surgery have been improved over the last decades, the incidence of AL has not been reduced. This emphasizes the need for an integrated approach of clinical perspectives for this postoperative complication. Improved risk assessment, surgical techniques and early detection offer opportunities to reduce the incidence as well as to minimize the consequences of this postoperative complication. Risk assessment was performed suggesting that early and late AL have different risk factors and that AL is increased when surgery is performed within 4 days after radiotherapy. In addition, early detection of AL was explored. We found that the combination of systemic CRP and peritoneal MMP9 on postoperative day 3 was predictive for AL after rectal cancer resection.

The public defence will take place at the Prof. Andries Queridoroom, 3rd floor Education Center, Erasmus MC. The ceremony will begin exactly at 11.30 hrs. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.