BASELINE INTRAOPERATIVE POST OPERATIVE (30 days) Age Surgical approach (lap, open) Pathological stage Sex Anaesthetic type TME quality BMI Operative time Length of stay Comorbidities Intra operative perforation Readmission ASA score Length of anorectal stump (HP) Surgical complications (Clavien-Dindo scale) Radiological stage Antibiotics Medical complications Distance of tumour from anal verge Method of IAPE (one vs two stage) Comprehensive Classification Index score Preoperative therapy 30 day quality of life Quality of life Patient willingness to randomise Reason for avoiding primary anastomosis Surgeon willingness to randomise Surgeon's reason for op choice