Acta chirurgica Iugoslavica
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A retrospective study was designed to determine the effects of faecal diversion on the rate and severity of clinical anastomotic leaks after low anterior resection. The study explored the complications of stoma closure as well. During the period between 1 January 1995 and 30 July 2000, anterior rectal resection was performed on 249 patients with anastomoses created at a 6-cm or smaller distance to the dentate line. ⋯ As shown by these results, faecal diversion undoubtedly mitigates the clinical consequences of anastomotic leaks, but cannot prevent its occurrence. When considering the cumulative risk of surgical complications associated with anterior resection, the complications of stoma-closure must also be taken into account. Our data confirm that a defunctioning stoma is beneficial for high-risk patients, who are unfit for a second abdominal procedure required to control suture leakage.