Hartmann's operation: a personal experience

This paper documents a 15 year experience with Hartmann's operation in the Colorectal Service at the Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand. There were 31 male and 30 female patients. The majority had either complicated diverticular disease (27) or rectal cancer (27). Fifty-six patients were discharged home and five patients died within 30 days of surgery (8.2%). Of the 27 patients with complicated diverticular disease 19 proceeded to stoma closure with no mortality. Of the 27 patients who had complicated colorectal cancer only 2 had their stoma closed. There were 41 patients in whom bowel continuity was restored following construction of a Hartmann's stoma. Thirty-nine anastomoses were hand-sewn and two anastomoses were stapled. One patient developed a major anastomotic leak and one patient died postoperatively. Hartmann's operation has a definite place in the management of patients with complicated diverticular disease and recto-sigmoid cancer. The operation can be performed and the stoma closed safely in the former group but is less likely to be followed by restoration of continuity in the latter group.