Peritoneal Bacterial Contamination Following Resection With Closed or Open Rectal Stump for Left-sided Cancer

Before cutting the bowel, a peritoneal sample for bacterial culture is taken from the peritoneal cavity (pelvic pouch). Anastomosis is performed while a bowel clamp is placed on the rectal stump. A second bacterial sample is obtained at the completion of the anastomosis from the same place (pelvic pouch) as the first one.