A phase III randomized trial evaluating the quality of life impact of a tailored versus systematic use of defunctioning ileostomy following total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer-GRECCAR 17 trial protocol.

The GRECCAR 17 trial is the first randomized trial to assess a tailored, patient-specific approach to decisions regarding defunctioning stoma use and closure after TME according to personalized risk of anastomotic leak. The results of this trial will describe, for the first time, the QoL and morbidity impact of selective use of a defunctioning ileostomy and the potential health economic effect of such an approach.