Short-Term Outcomes and Stoma-Related Morbidity of Diverting Ileostomy After Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Mid- and Distal Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

Background and Objectives: Diverting ileostomy (DI) is frequently used after low rectal cancer surgery to mitigate the clinical consequences of anastomotic leakage (AL). However, its potential benefits must be balanced against stoma-related morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate short-term postoperative outcomes and stoma-related morbidity associated with DI after laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for mid- and distal rectal cancer.