Bowel Function Outcomes After Stoma Retraction

Two authors (MX and YZ) independently extracted the following data: (1) anastomotic leakage, (2) defecation frequency, (3) anastomotic stricture, (4) reoperation, (5) postoperative mortality within 30 days, (6) fecal urgency, (7) incomplete defecation, (8) use of antidiarrheal medication, and (9) quality of life. We recorded the results of bowel function outcomes at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months following stoma retraction (or without stoma surgery). We considered the most common and concerning anastomotic leakage and defecation frequency as the primary outcome indicators, and the rest were secondary outcome indicators. Anastomotic leakage is defined as a significant crack at the edge of the anastomosis, leakage of bowel contents seen in the pelvis on imaging or endoscopy, or purulent discharge from the pelvic drainage tube. The defecation frequency was determined based on the patient-described average number of daily bowel movements.