The Reasons for Delays in Ileostomy Closure in Laparoscopic Rectal Cancer Surgery

Temporary ileostomy is a valuable aid in reducing the severity of complications associated with rectal cancer surgery. The purpose of the present study was to determine the reasons for delays in ileostomy closure in patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery and protective loop ileostomy and to prevent delays in closure timing.

A retrospective analysis was conducted with patients who underwent loop ileostomy and its reversal in laparoscopic rectal surgery for rectal cancer at the Surgical Oncology Clinic of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University. Patients who had loop ileostomy closure between 2018 and 2023 were included in the study. Demographic data of the patients, neoadjuvant status, adjuvant chemotherapy, presence of comorbidities, smoking, American Society of Anesthesiologist's classification (ASA) score, primary surgical method [low anterior resection (LAR), very low anterior resection (VLAR), transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME)], pathologic stage, anticoagulant use, presence of anastomotic leak, postoperative bleeding, presence of ileus, length of hospital stay, time from index surgery to closure, 90-day complications (Clavien-Dindo classification), unexpected 30-day readmission, reoperation status, and ileostomy closure time values were recorded, and a database was created. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify clinically significant risk factors for delayed closure.

A total of 129 patients underwent loop ileostomy closure during the study. The median time to closure in patients with rectal cancer was 5.47 months (range: 1 to 22). Thirty-nine of the 129 patients (30.2%) underwent reversal >6 months after index surgery. Anastomotic level ( P =0.004), Clavien-Dindo complication grade ( P =0.005), and hospital readmission after index surgery ( P =0.004) were associated with delayed ileostomy closure ( P <0.005).

Reasons for delay included factors such as degree of complication, hospital readmission, and anastomosis level. Addressing these causes would benefit patients in terms of improving their quality of life after closure.