Closure timing of a temporary ileostomy in patients with rectal cancer undergoing anus-preserving operation: a retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

To investigate the optimal closure time of a temporary ileostomy in patients with rectal cancer receiving anus-preserving operation. Patients with rectal cancer were enrolled from the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from May 2010 to June 2019. The eligible patients were grouped according to their actual ileostomy closure time after stoma creation. Outcomes were complications during stoma closure and complications within one year after stoma closure. This study included 361 qualified subjects, with 108 patients in the 3-5months group, 133 in the 5-7months group and 120 in the ≥ 7months group. Compared with the risk of complications during stoma closure in the 3-5months group, that in the 5-7months group was significantly reduced (odds ratio [OR]: 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13-0.99), and that in the ≥ 7months group was significantly increased (OR: 5.88, 95% CI 2.38-14.56). In contrast to the 3-5months group, the 5-7months group showed a significantly decreased risk (OR: 0.21, 95% CI 0.07-0.67), and the ≥ 7months group showed a significantly increased risk (OR: 4.21, 95% CI 1.61-11.01) of complications within 1year after stoma closure. 5-7months after the ileostomy is created may be the optimal time for its closure.