One-stitch versus traditional method of protective loop ileostomy in laparoscopic low anterior rectal resection: A retrospective comparative study

Background: Protective loop ileostomy is widely performed during rectal resection surgery. The study aimed to introduce the one-stitch method (OM) of protective loop ileostomy in laparoscopic low anterior resection and compare this new method with the traditional method (TM). Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 109 patients with pathologically diagnosed adenocarcinoma of the rectum from January 2017 to December 2018 in the study centre, and the intraoperative details and postoperative outcomes of the two groups were measured. Results: A total of 95 patients were included: 54 underwent protective loop ileostomy with the TM, while 41 underwent surgery utilizing the OM. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the operative times of resection and closure were significantly shorter (resection, 200.0 vs. 227.5 min, P = 0.028; closure, 70.0 vs. 92.5 min, P = 0.018) and the peristomal adhesions during closure were milder (P = 0.007) in the OM group than in the TM group. The postoperative complications were similar in both groups. In multivariate analysis, the OM (OR 0.352, 95% CI = 0.155-0.799, P = 0.013) was a significant factor influencing the operative time of resection. The peristomal adhesion extent was the only independent risk factor for the stoma closure time (mild, OR 0.036, 95% CI = 0.010-0.129, P < 0.001; moderate, OR 0.128, 95% CI = 0.033-0.494, P = 0.003). No significant predictive factor of peristomal adhesion extent was identified in multivariable analysis. Conclusion: The OM of protective loop ileostomy in laparoscopic low anterior resection was time-saving, simple and easy to popularize and did not lead to more postoperative complications than the TM.