Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of the modified cross-suture technique on abdominal wall incision during ileostomy reversal in patients with rectal cancer. 
Methods Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 150 patients who underwent ileostomy reversal following rectal cancer surgery. Based on the treatment method of abdominal wall incision, the patients were divided into the control group and the observation group, with 75 patients in each group. The control group received the conventional one-stage suture method, while the observation group received the modified cross-suture technique. Both groups were given compression dressing with inverted trapezoidal-shaped gauze after surgery. The duration of operation, blood loss, time of off-bed activity, exhaust time, healing time, infection rate, healing time after infection, length of hospital stay, pain score and satisfaction were compared between the two groups. 
Results There was no significant difference in anastomosis methods, duration of operation, intraoperative blood loss, and primary healing time between the two groups (P＞0.05). In the observation group, the time of postoperative off-bed activity ［(1.60±0.75) d vs. (1.96±0.62) d］, exhaust time ［(2.41±1.08) d vs. (2.88±0.80) d］, time of food intake［(2.60±1.22) d vs. (3.07±0.92) d］, healing time after incision infection ［(16.71±1.60) d vs. (20.38±3.59) d］, and length of hospital stay ［(7.32±1.88) d vs. (8.43±2.59) d］ were shorter than those in the control group; The early pain scores ［24 h： (2.75±0.64) points vs. (3.12±0.70) points; 72 h： (1.09±0.29) points vs. (1.29±0.49) points］, incision infection rate ［9.33% vs. 21.33%］, and medical expenses ［(31 506.89±4 147.59) yuan vs. (33 854.80±7 506.47) yuan］ were lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05). The overall satisfaction score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group ［29.0 (2.0) points vs. 28.0 (8.0) points］ (P＜0.05). 
Conclusion The modified cross-suture technique is an effective method for handing abdominal wall incisions during temporary ileostomy reversal after rectal cancer surgery. It can significantly reduce the incision infection rate and postoperative pain, shorten the postoperative recovery time, length of hospital stay and healing time after incision infection, promote postoperative recovery of patients, reduce hospitalization expenses, and improve patient satisfaction.

Key words: rectal neoplasms, suture techniques, ileostomy