Background <p>The value of a bridge in loop ileostomies is debated. We aimed to evaluate whether using a bridge when creating a loop ileostomy can reduce morbidity following an ileostomy.</p> Methods <p>Patients who had a loop ileostomy after elective colorectal surgery from January 2016 to July 2022 were randomized in this multicenter phase&#xa0;2 randomized superiority trial. The primary endpoint was the absence of postoperative stomal complications at 2&#xa0;months and was assessed in a blinded fashion by a stoma therapist. Secondary endpoints were morbidity at 1&#xa0;month and the STOMA-QOL score at 2&#xa0;months.</p> Results <p>During the study period, 67 patients were randomized to the bridge group and 63 to the no-bridge group. Epidemiological and perioperative data did not differ between the two groups. The stomal complication-free rate was 76% in the bridge group and 67% in the no-bridge group (<i>p</i> = 0.3). There was no difference in the distribution of complications at 1&#xa0;month according to the Clavien–Dindo score (<i>p</i> = 0.2) or the STOMA-QOL score at 2&#xa0;months (<i>p</i> = 0.4) between the two groups.</p> Conclusion <p>The bridge does not reduce the rate of stomatal complications, nor does it appear to reduce patients’ quality of life.</p> Trial registration number <p>NCT02756273 (May 10, 2016).</p>