Left-sided ileostomy during ileal pouch-anal anastomosis significantly lowers stoma outlet obstruction rates in ulcerative colitis patients.

• Obstruction incidence dropped to 9.8% with left-sided stomas, compared to 31.1% on the right (p = 0.0004).
• Left-sided placement is a protective factor (odds ratio 0.24; p = 0.001) and leads to shorter hospital stays (median 22 days vs. 33 days with obstruction, p < 0.001).

Consider revising stoma placement to enhance surgical outcomes and reduce complications.