A 24-year-old man with history of ulcerative colitis (UC) is 3 days status postemergent subtotal colectomy with end ileostomy for toxic megacolon. He has a low-grade fever of 38.0 °C, rising heart rate to the 110s, rising leukocytosis to 15 x 10⁹, and lower pelvic pain and pressure. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrates abscess with fluid and gas adjacent and superior to the rectal stump staple line. How could the chance of complication have been reduced?