[Hartmann's procedure. A retrospective study of 86 cases]

The purpose of this retrospective study is to define current indications and results of Hartmann's procedure (H). From 1978 to 1989, 86 H were performed, 52 (60%) as emergency surgery. Indications were: colo-rectal cancer (37): 15 complicated and 22 as an elective procedure, diverticular disease acute or complicated (24), ischemic colitis (10), volvulus of the pelvic colon (5), inflammatory bowel disease (4), colonic perforation (3), traumatic hematoma of the sigmoid mesocolon (1). Fourteen patients died after operation (mean age: 79). There was no death after elective H for cancer. Post-operative complications were numerous: pulmonary (25%), abdominal would sepsis or disruption (21%), rectal strump leakage (14%), the later being harmless due to the associated Mickulicz drainage. Seven patients were reoperated on for necrosis of the colonic stoma. Mean initial hospital stay was 31 days. Restoration of the gastrointestinal continuity was done in 27 cases (37% of the surviving patients, 76% of the diverticular diseases). The authors conclude that for complicated diverticular disease H procedure improves survival without preferable continuity. For cancer, H procedure is permanently compromising gastrointestinal in the elderly to hazardous low anastomosis, and to palliative abdomino-perineal resection.