*9.1.5 Other clinical findings*

A significant rate of CAL is asymptomatic (**subclinical**), and diagnosis is often delayed. **Neurological alterations**, **ileus**, presence of **significant edema**, and **enteric drainage** through the abdominal tube or wound are signs that alert to CAL possibility. Rectal examination, for example, can not only confirm **suspicious rectal drainage** (bloody or purulent, for example) but also enables the confirmation of

anastomotic defects in the rectal walls or the rectovaginal septum. Therefore, digital rectal examination to identify lower rectal dehiscence may have sufficient accuracy for diagnosis.
