E Zhou Shi

Researchers are studying adults with low or mid rectal cancer who are scheduled for ultra-low anterior resection surgery. The study aims to find out if using somatostatin combined with a clear liquid diet after surgery can prevent severe leakage where the bowel is joined, and how this compares to the standard use of a prophylactic diverting stoma. The trial also evaluates medical problems, bowel function, recovery, and quality of life during follow-up. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one will receive somatostatin by intravenous infusion every 12 hours for 7 days plus a clear liquid diet after surgery without a diverting stoma, while the other group will have a prophylactic diverting stoma created during surgery and receive standard care without routine somatostatin. Both groups will get usual perioperative management at the participating centers. During the study, participants will be monitored for severe anastomotic leakage within one month of surgery, along with other postoperative complications, bowel function, quality of recovery, and quality of life. Follow-up assessments will continue for up to 3 years after surgery to review longer-term outcomes and recovery.