To investigate the effect of anterograde lavage via temporary loop ileostomy on perioperative bowel function recovery in patients receiving stoma closure.

The candidates were rectal cancer patients who had received anterior resection and planned to receive stoma closure in Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital during March and August 2019. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received anterograde lavage before stoma closure. General data and perioperative information (exhaust time, defecation time, recovery time of meal, hospitalization time, etc.) were collected and compared between groups.

A total of 133 eligible cases were included in the analysis, including 68 in the lavage group and 65 in the non-lavage group. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender ratio, and distance between the anastomotic line and dental line. In the lavage group, patients' postoperative exhaust time (t=2.544, P＜0.05), defecation time (t=3.864, P＜0.05), recovery time of meal (t=3.409, P＜0.05) and hospitalization time (t=4.695, P＜0.05) were significantly shorter than those in the non-lavage group, and the total cost was significantly lower than that of the non-lavage group (t=2.254, P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative intestinal obstruction rate between the two groups(χ²=1.056,P＞0.05).

Anterograde lavage before stoma closure can help patients recover their bowel function, reduce time and economic cost of the patients, which is conforms to the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery, and is suitable for popularization and application.