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

Purpose To investigate the optimal closure time of a temporary ileostomy in patients with rectal cancer receiving anus-preserving operation. Methods 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. Results This study included 361 qualified subjects, with 108 patients in the 3-5 months group, 133 in the 5-7 months group and 120 in the >= 7 months group. Compared with the risk of complications during stoma closure in the 3-5 months group, that in the 5-7 months group was significantly reduced (odds ratio [OR]: 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13-0.99), and that in the >= 7 months group was significantly increased (OR: 5.88, 95% CI 2.38-14.56). In contrast to the 3-5 months group, the 5-7 months group showed a significantly decreased risk (OR: 0.21, 95% CI 0.07-0.67), and the >= 7 months group showed a significantly increased risk (OR: 4.21, 95% CI 1.61-11.01) of complications within 1 year after stoma closure. Conclusion 5-7 months after the ileostomy is created may be the optimal time for its closure.