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. 2013 Apr;29(2):66-71.
doi: 10.3393/ac.2013.29.2.66. Epub 2013 Apr 30.

The Role of Diverting Stoma After an Ultra-low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer

Seok In Seo  1 , Chang Sik Yu, Gwon Sik Kim, Jong Lyul Lee, Yong Sik Yoon, Chan Wook Kim, Seok-Byung Lim, Jin Cheon Kim
Affiliations

The Role of Diverting Stoma After an Ultra-low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer

Seok In Seo et al. Ann Coloproctol. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: A diverting stoma is known to reduce the consequences of distal anastomotic failure following colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a diverting stoma after an ultra-low anterior resection (uLAR) for rectal cancer.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2007, 836 patients who underwent an uLAR were divided into two groups, depending on the fecal diversion: 246 received fecal diversion, and 590 had no diversion. Patient- and disease-related variables were compared between the two groups.

Results: Thirty-two of the 836 patients (3.8%) had immediate anastomosis-related complications and required reoperation. Anastomosis leakage comprised 72% of the complications (23/32). The overall immediate complication rate was significantly lower in patients with a diverting stoma (0.8%, 2/246) compared to those without a diverting stoma (5.1%, 30/590; P = 0.005). The fecal diversion group had lower tumor location, lower anastomosis level, and more preoperative chemo-radiation therapy (P < 0.001). In total, 12% of patients in the diverting stoma group had complications either in making or reversing the stoma (30/246).

Conclusion: The diverting stoma decreased the rate of immediate anastomosis-related complications. However, the rate of complications associated with the diverting stoma was non-negligible, so strict criteria should be applied when deciding whether to use a diverting stoma.

Keywords: Colorectal surgery; Ileostomy; Rectal neoplasms.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Evolutional changes in stoma status. uLAR, ultra-low anterior resection. T/D, take down. aStoma reversal could not be done because of tumor recurrence. bAnastomosis leakage was continued.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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