Defunctioning ileostomy closure following low anterior resection by chemotherapy.

Aim: The aim of this study is to review the time between formation and closure of loop ileostomies following total mesorectal excision in patients with rectal cancer.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study of 170 patients who underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer, between 1990 and 2009. Loop ileostomies were created in 8 patients.