Simple wash during surgery may stop rectal cancer return

NCT ID NCT07512232

Recruiting now Prevention Sponsor: Sun Yat-sen University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study is testing whether rinsing the rectal cavity with a saltwater or iodine solution during laparoscopic surgery can prevent local recurrence of mid-to-low rectal cancer. About 1,600 patients will be randomly assigned to receive the wash or not, and they will be followed for five years. The goal is to see if this simple step reduces the chance of cancer growing back near the surgery site.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: rectal irrigation with normal saline or povidone-iodine
What this could lead to: If it works, this simple procedure could become a standard step during rectal cancer surgery to lower the chance of cancer returning.
What could go wrong: This is a large trial, but the procedure is new for this purpose and may not reduce recurrence. There is also a small risk of infection or irritation from the wash.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

rectal cancer rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

MIDDLE AND LOW RECTAL CANCER RECTAL CANCER SURGERY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
RECRUITING

Guangzhou, Guangdong, 518000, China

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