Table 3.

Definition of anastomotic leakage of included studies; CAL: colorectal anastomotic leakage.

Author	Year	Complication	Definition
Bertram et al. [23]	2003	CAL	Patients were considered uneventful if recovery occurred without signs of anastomotic leakage within 14 days after operation
Fouda et al. [21]	2011	CAL	AL was defined clinically as gas, pus, or fecal discharge from the drain, fecal discharge from the operative wound, pelvic abscess, peritonitis, and rectovaginal fistula
Herwig et al. [24]	2002	CAL	Diagnosis of AL was confirmed by endoscopy, contrast enema, abdominal CT scan, microbiologic examination, and finally intraoperative findings during relaparotomy
Matthiessen et al. [4, 19]	2007	CAL	Peritonitis caused by leakage, pelvic abscess, discharge of feces from the abdominal drain, or rectovaginal fistula, and leakage from all staple lines
Yamamoto et al. [20]	2011	Peritonitis	The diagnosis of postoperative peritonitis was based on clinical findings along with imaginary data and the colour of abdominal exudates
Ellebæk et al. [25]	2014	CAL	Anastomotic leakage was defined as a demonstrated defect of the intestinal wall at the anastomotic site leading to a communication between the intra- and extraluminal compartment's
Reisinger et al. [26]	2014	CAL	Clinically relevant AL was defined as extra luminal presence of contrast fluid on contrast CT scans and/or leakage when relaparotomy was performed, requiring reintervention