Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>18 years; * Primary rectal cancer staged as cT1-4aN0-3M0 (or ycT0-4aN0-2M0); * Histologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma based on endoscopic biopsy; * Tumor located ≤12 cm from the dentate line (based on endoscopy, digital rectal examination, and/or pelvic MRI); * Planned radical minimally invasive (laparoscopic/robot-assisted) intervention with TME and formation of primary colorectal/colonanal anastomosis; * Adequate hematologic function: hemoglobin ≥100 g/L, leukocytes \>4 × 10\^9/L, platelets \>100 × 10\^9/L; * Adequate renal function: serum creatinine \<150 µmol/L; * Adequate hepatic function: AST/ALT \<100 U/L; * Predicted risk of anastomotic leakage ≤10% (AFOR 0-1). Exclusion Criteria: * Age ≥80 years; * Presence of a pre-existing diverting ileostomy or colostomy; * Peritumoral abscess or tumor perforation; * Distant metastases (M1) identified preoperatively and/or intraoperatively; * Synchronous or metachronous malignancy; * Prior pelvic irradiation for another condition (e.g., cervical or prostate cancer); * Evidence of malnutrition (serum albumin \<34 g/L); * Severe uncontrolled comorbid conditions (e.g., acute myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension, decompensated heart failure, immunosuppression, systemic corticosteroid therapy, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease stage 4-5), type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, or psychiatric/neurological disorders impairing the ability to provide informed consent; * Tumor invasion into adjacent structures or organs (cT4b) identified preoperatively and/or intraoperatively; * Predicted risk of anastomotic leakage \>10% (AFOR 2-6).