title: Management of obstructing lesions of the left colon by resection, on-table lavage, and primary anastomosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of single-stage resection, on-table lavage, and primary anastomosis in patients presenting with obstruction of the left colon.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcome of surgery in 73 consecutive patients presenting with obstruction of the left colon during a 5-year period was assessed in terms of perioperative complications and long-term survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-three patients (86%) underwent single-stage restorative procedures. In this group there were four clinical anastomotic leaks (6%). However, there were no deaths as a result of leakage. There were four deaths (6%) but these were not due to anastomotic leakage. Long-term survival rates compared favorably, stage for stage, with large published series of elective experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that resection, on-table lavage, and primary anastomosis constitute the operation of choice for most patients with acute obstruction of the left colon.
authors.affiliation: St. James's University Teaching Hospital, Beckett St., Leeds, U.K.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Diament
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome