Surgeons lack predictive accuracy for anastomotic leakage in gastrointestinal surgery

The surgeons' clinical risk assessment appeared to have a low predictive value for anastomotic leakage in gastrointestinal surgery. The low a priori risk of anastomotic leakage of 14% resulted in a low post-test odds (11%) of correct prediction of anastomotic leakage. This warrants the ongoing search for a better diagnostic test of anastomotic leakage to prevent morbidity and mortality.