Are We Resecting Too Much Colon in Perforated Diverticulitis?

Initially, the Hartmann's procedure was done to reduce mortality in surgery cases of malignant rectal lesions, and not benign disease. However, the procedure was popularized in the management of perforated diverticular disease (PDD) in the 1970s. Herein, we present a case of a patient who had laparotomy and colostomy for PDD. During the post-operative planning for reversal of the diverting colostomy, a contrast study was done that revealed that most of the sigmoid colon was in fact healthy. In this patient, the colon was severed at the point of the perforation and exteriorized, which allowed time for the resolution of the gut inflammatory changes. Thus, Hartmann's operation would have led to the unnecessary resection of the healthy sigmoid colon and possibly condemned the patient to an irreversible stoma. In severe PDD, where a Hartmann's procedure is considered, one could sever the colon at the site of perforation and bring out a colostomy while tacking the closed, unresected distal end near the ostomy. Further contrast studies of the colon could assist in planning resection and anastomosis.