Protective Ileostomy Versus Protective Colostomy in Anterior Rectal Resection

Loop ileostomy and loop colostomy are both used as protective stomas after anterior resection. There is a lack of evidence on the superiority of loop ileostomy versus loop colostomy. This is a multicenter, open-label, superiority, individually randomized controlled trial including patients undergoing anterior rectal resection with primary anastomosis and a protective stoma. Patients scheduled for anterior rectal resection are randomized 1:1 to loop ileostomy or loop colostomy intraoperatively. Primary outcome is cumulative stoma-related adverse events within 60 days post-primary surgery (scored using Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI)).

Inclusion Criteria: Patients undergoing anterior resection (resection of the rectum and colorectal or coloanal anastomosis) due to a rectal tumour and a protective stoma is planned. The exclusion criteria are: (1) patient already having a stoma (or another stoma made during surgery), (2) technical inability to create ileo- or colostomy (e.g. previous bowel resection, anatomical factors), (3) age \