Value of protective stoma in rectal cancer surgery

Introduction. Anastomotic leakage is the most serious surgical complication in rectal surgery. The aim of this study was to find out whether a protective stoma was capable of lowering the rate of clinical anastomotic leakage and to evaluate the rate of anastomotic leakages requiring re-surgery. Material and Methods. A retrospective study included a sample of 149 consecutive patients with rectal cancer who had undergone elective rectal resection with primary anastomosis. After total mesorectal excision, the anastomosis was created using either the single stapling or double stapling anastomotic technique. Anastomotic integrity was verified by transanal air insufflations with the pelvis filled with saline. A protective covering colostomy was added in selected cases and according to the surgeon?s preference. Results. A protective stoma was created in 31% of patients. Clinical anastomotic leakage occurred in 6.7% of patients (10/149). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 8.5% of the patients with a protective stoma (4/47) and in 5.9% of those without a protective stoma (6/102), which was not statistically significant. Surgery lasted significantly longer when a stoma had to be created than in case when it was not needed (p=0.024). The overall rate of re-surgery due to postoperative surgical complications was 5.3% and in three cases this happened because of anastomotic leakage. All patients with a protective stoma and clinical anastomotic leakage were treated conservatively, compared to 50% of patients without a protective stoma who suffered anastomotic leakage and had to be operated. Conclusion. A stoma cannot prevent but it can surely minimize surgical complications related to anastomotic leakage and it does reduce the rate of re-surgery.