Table 1 Complications and the corresponding diagnostic criteria

Anastomotic leakage

Leakage confirmed by angiography or bowel content seen in drainage

Anastomotic bleeding

Continuous blood content seen in gastric tube and continuous decreasing hemoglobin level, within 24 h after surgery

Abdominal bleeding

Continuous blood content seen in drainage and continuous decreasing hemoglobin level, within 24 h after surgery

Surgical site infection

Wound abscess with clinical symptoms

Bowel obstruction

Clinical symptoms with radiographic confirmation

Abdominal effusion

Continuous high abdominal drainage output

Pancreatitis

Drain output of any measurable volume of fluid on or after postoperative day 3 with an amylase content greater than 3 times the serum amylase activity

Bowel preformation

Intraoperative or radiographic confirmation

Pneumonia

Clinical symptoms with radiographic confirmation