Hartmann's pouch carcinoma

Since 1921, when Henry Hartmann first described his procedure for rectal carcinoma, multiple modifications of the original technique have been proposed. However, the basic principle of a rectal pouch has always been retained. Two cases of carcinoma developing in such a pouch are described; both occurred years after creation of the pouch. One was managed by local resection through a transsacral approach; the other required an abdominoperineal resection. Consideration must be given to careful examination and sigmoidoscopy of these pouches as they tend to be forgotten by the physicians due to their hidden location.