Guided removal of drainage tubes after rectal surgery

A Single Arm Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of C Reactive Protein (CRP) Guided Transanal Drainage Tube (TDT) Removal for Anastomotic Leak (AL) Prevention Following Laparoscopic Anterior Resection for Rectal Carcinoma

Not applicable Interventional Qilu Hospital of Shandong University · NCT05502354

This study tests if using C-reactive protein levels can help determine the safest time to remove drainage tubes after rectal surgery for cancer, aiming to improve recovery for patients.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment250 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorQilu Hospital of Shandong University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Jinan, Shandong)
Trial IDNCT05502354 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the safety and efficacy of removing transanal drainage tubes based on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer. The approach aims to prevent anastomotic leaks by utilizing CRP as a predictive marker for safe drainage tube removal. By monitoring postoperative CRP trajectories, the study seeks to establish a more reliable method for determining the optimal timing for tube removal, potentially improving patient outcomes. This is a single-arm interventional study focusing on patients undergoing rectal surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with primary rectal adenocarcinoma undergoing laparoscopic anterior resection.

Not a fit: Patients who have undergone emergency operations or have severe postoperative complications unrelated to anastomotic leaks may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the incidence of anastomotic leaks and improve recovery outcomes for patients undergoing rectal surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of CRP as a predictive marker is established, this specific approach to CRP-guided drainage tube removal is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* age from 18 to 75 years old
* male and female
* primary rectal adenocarcinoma
* ASA I, II, or III
* laparoscopic LAR + DST
* with or without preoperative radio- or chemotherapy
* no distal metastasis
* no preoperative bowel obstruction
* no preventive ileostomy or colostomy
* patients and their families can understand and are willing to participate in this study and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* emergency operation
* preoperative abnormal liver function
* tatme or ISR procedure (healing process might differ from anterior resection)
* severe postoperative (Clavien-Dindo grade III IV V) complications other than anastomotic leak
* severe perioperative infection unrelated to anastomotic leak
* patients with serious mental illness
* pregnant or breastfeeding women
* patients with other clinical and laboratory conditions considered by the investigator should not participate in the trial

Where this trial is running

Jinan, Shandong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Rectal CancerAnastomotic Leak
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.