Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of preventive ileostomy with a median specimen extraction incision on gastrointestinal function, inflammation level, and anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer. 
Methods A total of 160 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer at the 904th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army were selected and divided into a research group (median specimen extraction for preventive ileostomy, n=88) and a control group (traditional incision for preventive ileostomy, n=72) based on the method of ileostomy. The gastrointestinal function and inflammation levels, the healing and occurrence of anastomotic fistula of the two groups, as well as the occurrence of related complications,were compared. 
Results The first postoperative exhaust time, bowel sound recovery time, and gastrointestinal function recovery time of the research group were shorter than those of the control group (P＜0.05).At 3 d after treatment, serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels of the two groups all increased, which, however, were lower in the research group than in the control group (P＜0.05). The incidence of anastomotic fistula in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group after treatment, and the healing time of anastomotic fistula was shorter than that in the control group (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P＞0.05). 
Conclusion Preventive ileostomy with a median specimen extraction incision in the treatment of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer has shorter recovery time of gastrointestinal function, lower inflammation level, and shorter healing time of anastomotic fistula, suggesting good application effect in clinical practice. 

Key words: colorectal surgery, median specimen extraction incision, preventive ileostomy