Novel stent-assisted ileal bypass is applied to avoid protective stoma and prevent anastomotic leakage for rectal cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of a novel stent-assisted ileal bypass for rectal cancer patients who received sphincter-preserving surgery.

Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with rectal cancer and received sphincter-preserving surgery plus a novel stent-assisted ileal bypass were respectively included from January 2022 to January 2023. Biofragmentable ileal stent with diaphragm sheet in the cavity was placed in the terminal ileum using absorbable sutures after anastomosis. At the proximal end of the stent, an intestinal diversion tube was placed in the prefabricated purse-string, through which faeces were drained. The stent completely disintegrated in the body after 3-4 weeks, which protected the anastomosis after surgery and avoided protective stoma. Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes were collected.

Results: Eleven patients who successfully received surgery were included. There were seven (63.6%) males and four (36.4%) females. The tumour size was 3.2 ± 1.7 cm and the lower verge of tumour to anal verge was 6.8 ± 1.3 cm. As for surgical outcomes, operation time was 216.4 ± 54.1 min, blood loss was 43.6 ± 64.6 mL, time to first flatus via intestinal diversion tube was 3.2 ± 1.1 days, time to discharge stent was 22.8 ± 3.0 days, and postoperative hospital stay was 21.0 ± 5.4 days. Two patients suffered from postoperative complications including pneumonia and incision infection.

Conclusion: This novel stent-assisted ileal bypass is safe and feasible, it provides a new choice for rectal cancer patients to avoid protective stoma and secondary surgery.