Feasibility and safety of a fold-over diverting ileostomy reversal after rectal cancer surgery: case-matched comparison to the resection technique.

Purpose: Compared to the stapling technique, the fold-over technique (FO) has the benefit of avoiding the sacrifice of the bowel segment. The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes between the FO and a conventional resection.

Methods: Between June 2008 and March 2012, a total of 242 patients who underwent a diverting ileostomy reversal after rectal cancer surgery were selected.