Visbiome Effect on Colorectal Anastomosis and Local Recurrence

Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years of age * Diagnosis of biopsy proven rectal cancer (CT/MRI) * Willing and able to comply with protocol requirements * Able to tolerate surgery * Able to comprehend and have signed the Informed Consent * Absence of metastatic disease * Clinical performance status of ECOG 0 or 1 * Life expectancy of greater than 3 months * Planned ileostomy as part of their routine care Exclusion Criteria: * Severe or refractory ulcerative colitis defined as Mayo Score of greater than or equal to 10, endoscopic disease activity score 3 * Untreated enteric infection (positive stool test for any of the following: clostridium difficile, salmonella, shigella, yersinia, campylobacter, enteropathogenic E. coli or other enteric infection at the discretion of the Investigator * Severe immunodeficiency, inherited or required (e.g. HIV, chemotherapy or radiation therapy) * Patients with the following laboratory abnormalities: absolute neutrophil count \<1000/ul, platelets \<50 x 10\^9/L, hemoglobin \<6.5g/dL * History of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) to food allergens (e.g. tree nuts, shellfish) * Active intestinal obstruction * Non-steroidal anti inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) as long-term treatment, defined as for at least 4 days per week each month * Cholestyramine use * Any condition in which the Investigator thinks VSL3 administration may pose a health risk (e.g. severely immunocompromised) * Simultaneous participation in another interventional clinical trial * Patients who are pregnant, breast feeding or planning pregnancy during study trial period * Patients with any other signification medical condition that could confound or interfere with evaluation of safety, tolerability or prevention compliance with the study protocol at the discretion of the Investigator