Meta-Analysis
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2014; 20(47): 18031-18037
Published online Dec 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i47.18031
Role of protective stoma in low anterior resection for rectal cancer: A meta-analysis
Sheng-Wen Wu, Cong-Chao Ma, Yu Yang
Sheng-Wen Wu, Cong-Chao Ma, Yu Yang, Department of General surgery, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People’s Hospital, Jianhu 224700, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Wu SW carried out data analysis and wrote the manuscript; Ma CC provided supervision; Wu SW and Yang Y identified and acquired reports of trials, abstracted the data and assessed the risk of bias; Wu SW conducted the statistical analyses and contacted authors of included studies to obtain additional information; Ma CC drafted the manuscript; all the authors contributed to the interpretation of data, critically revised the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript submitted for publication and are guarantors for the study.
Correspondence to: Cong-Chao Ma, MD, PhD, Department of General surgery, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People’s Hospital, Renming South-road 275, Jianhu 224700, Jiangsu Province, China. surgeon_lin6@163.com
Telephone: +86-510-87971283 Fax: +86-510-87928726
Received: May 6, 2014
Revised: June 25, 2014
Accepted: August 13, 2014
Published online: December 21, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: The use of a protective stoma is an effective application that can reduce the rate of anastomotic leakage in patients who receive low anterior resection for rectal cancer. The morbidity associated with protective stomas and the complications of stoma closure are negligible compared with the reoperations required for anastomosis leakage in the absence of a protective stoma. Therefore, the presence of a non-functioning stoma can be useful for patients undergoing rectal surgery and is recommended during low anterior resections for rectal cancer.