BACKGROUND: Reversal of Hartmann's is a common surgical procedure. Routine preoperative evaluation of the distal colonic/rectal remnant (DCRR) with contrast and/or endoscopic studies is frequently performed despite lack of evidence to support this practice. We hypothesize that asymptomatic patients can safely undergo Hartmann's reversal without preoperative DCRR evaluation. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing reversal of Hartmann's at a single institution were retrospectively identified. Operative characteristics and outcomes in patients with and without preoperative DCRR evaluation were compared. RESULTS: Between 1993 and 2008, 203 patients underwent reversal of Hartmann's at a tertiary referral center. Sixty-eight patients (33%) did not undergo preoperative DCRR evaluation and had comparable demographic characteristics, comorbidities, DCRR length, and perioperative outcomes to 135 patients who underwent preoperative contrast and/or endoscopic studies. After evaluation, 125 (93%) patients had normal findings, seven (5%) patients had abnormal studies that did not impact their management, and three (2%) patients underwent additional procedures. CONCLUSION: Hartmann's reversal without previous DCRR evaluation is acceptable in selected asymptomatic patients, without increased risk of complications.
BACKGROUND: Reversal of Hartmann's is a common surgical procedure. Routine preoperative evaluation of the distal colonic/rectal remnant (DCRR) with contrast and/or endoscopic studies is frequently performed despite lack of evidence to support this practice. We hypothesize that asymptomatic patients can safely undergo Hartmann's reversal without preoperative DCRR evaluation. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing reversal of Hartmann's at a single institution were retrospectively identified. Operative characteristics and outcomes in patients with and without preoperative DCRR evaluation were compared. RESULTS: Between 1993 and 2008, 203 patients underwent reversal of Hartmann's at a tertiary referral center. Sixty-eight patients (33%) did not undergo preoperative DCRR evaluation and had comparable demographic characteristics, comorbidities, DCRR length, and perioperative outcomes to 135 patients who underwent preoperative contrast and/or endoscopic studies. After evaluation, 125 (93%) patients had normal findings, seven (5%) patients had abnormal studies that did not impact their management, and three (2%) patients underwent additional procedures. CONCLUSION: Hartmann's reversal without previous DCRR evaluation is acceptable in selected asymptomatic patients, without increased risk of complications.
Authors: G M da Silva; S D Wexner; B Gurland; P Gervaz; Seong Do Moon; J Efron; J J Nogueras; E G Weiss; A M Vernava; O Zmora Journal: Colorectal Dis Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 3.788
Authors: Paolo Panaccio; Tommaso Grottola; Rossana Percario; Federico Selvaggi; Severino Cericola; Alfonso Lapergola; Maira Farrukh; Giuseppe Di Martino; Marco Ricciardiello; Pierluigi Di Sebastiano; Fabio Francesco Di Mola Journal: Surg Res Pract Date: 2021-01-23