Purpose: There is currently no consensus on an appropriate timeline for reversal of loop ileostomy. Our patients are regularly quoted a target of 12 weeks to reversal, with targets <90 and <120 days quoted in the literature. There is increasing evidence that early closure of ileostomy (<30 days) is safe in some patients(1). The objectives of this audit were to ascertain achievement of the above targets, identify factors leading to delays and quantify the level of early closure in our unit. Methods: Patients undergoing elective anterior resection for rectal cancer who received a defunctioning ileostomy at the index operation between January 2019 and December 2025 were included. Patients were identified using TMS data recorded at time of surgery. Factors contributing to delayed/early closure were identified using iSoft. Data were stored and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results: 134 patients were identified. Of these, 10 died prior to reversal, 3 underwent APR, 12 are yet to be reversed and 5 were reversed at another unit. 13.4% (18) underwent reversal within 90 days with 11.9% (16) reversed within 120 days. Of the 12 patients waiting to be reversed, 9 have exceeded the 120 day target. Mean time to reversal was 192 days. Mean time to reversal has improved between 2019 (272 days) and 2024 (162 days). 2.2% (3) had an early closure. Lack of gastrograffin enema at follow up (13) and adjuvant chemotherapy (29) most contributed to delay in closure. Conclusions: The target of 12 weeks is not achieved in most patients needing reversal of loop ileostomy. Strategies to identify patients suitable for early closure require further exploration. References: 1.Cheng Z, Dong S, Bi D, Wang Y, Dai Y, Zhang X. Early Versus Late Preventive Ileostomy Closure Following Colorectal Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis With Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Dis Colon Rectum. 2021;64(1):128-37.