Statin medications are associated with decreased risk of sepsis and anastomotic leaks after rectal resections

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to determine the effect of statins on colorectal postoperative complications related to sepsis. Previous studies have reported conflicting results.

Methods: This is a retrospective propensity score analysis of postoperative outcomes from a large regional database of patients who underwent elective colorectal resection from June 2012-July 2015.

Results: 7285 patients met inclusion criteria: 34.5% received statins. Propensity score matching revealed that patients taking statins had reduced risk of sepsis (3.75% vs 5.32%, p = .03). Subgroup analysis revealed that this difference was driven by patients undergoing rectal resections. Among the rectal resection group, anastomotic leaks were more common in the non-statins group (4.1% vs. 1.3%, p = .01). There was no significant difference between those taking statins and those not on statin medications with respect to composite SSI or 30-day mortality.

Conclusions: Statin medications are associated with decreased risk of sepsis after colorectal surgery and anastomotic leaks after rectal resection. Future studies should focus on medication type, dosage, and duration to confirm these results and identify patient populations that would benefit most from statin therapy.

Keywords: Anastomotic leak; Colon and rectal surgery; Colorectal; Sepsis; Statin medication.