The Hartmann procedure.
During a 10-year period, 59 patients had a Hartmann operation for diverticular disease (n = 19), carcinoma (n = 21), anastomotic disruption (n = 5), injury (n = 3) and various other conditions (n = 11). Twenty-two patients (37.3 per cent) died postoperatively. Wound infection or wound dehiscence occurred in 26 patients. Other complications inherent in this operation were colostomy necrosis or retraction (n = 12) and leakage of the rectal stump (n = 3). The mean hospital stay of the surviving patients was 28.4 days. Colorectal continuity was subsequently restored in 12 patients (32.4 per cent) and no difficulties were encountered with this procedure.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D003125:Colostomy; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies