Discussion on some problems of protective defunctioning ileostomy in low anterior resection

Anastomotic leakage is a common and severe complication of low anterior resection of rectal cancer. The protective defunctioning ileostomy has a certain value in preventing anastomotic leakage. In this review, we aim to summarize the opportunity, complications, health economics for stoma reversal, and the causes of permanent stoma, providing guidance for clinical practice and future study. Key words: Rectal neoplasms; Anastomotic leakage; Low anterior resection; Defunctioning ileostomy; Stoma reversal