Reply to: ‘High stoma prevalence and stoma reversal complications following anterior resection for rectal cancer: a population‐based multicentre study’

We welcome the thoughtful comments and questions posed by Massey et al regarding our study on stoma prevalence after anterior resection for rectal cancer . Self-reporting of surgical complications is indeed a limitation to registry-based reports; however, all patients in the present cohort underwent chart review, including scrutiny of the post-operative period with regard to anastomotic leakage, thus allowing the researcher rather than the involved surgeon to assess whether complications occurred. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.