Use of the TDT for Prevention of Anastomotic Leakage After Laparoscopic Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer

After completion of the anastomosis and further DS construction if necessary, the surgeon would be notified to implement the intervention based on the randomizing results. In this group, a silicone tube (28Fr, Sumitomo Bakelite Co, Japan) was inserted through the anus and the tip of the tube was placed approximately 5 cm above the anastomosis at the end of the surgery in patients from the TDT group. The tube was fixed with a skin suture and connected to a drainage bag. TDT was planed to remove 3-7 days after surgery and early removal was allowed if the patient experienced intolerable pain.

After laparoscopic anterior resection and double-stapling technique anastomosis were finished, none additional proceduce was done.