Eveline Patteet1,2, Sander Van Hoof3, Tom Hendrickx2, Sylvie Van den Broeck1, Guy Hubens1,4, Niels Komen1,4. 1. Department of Abdominal Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, 2610, Belgium. 2. Department of General & Abdominal Surgery, AZ Turnhout, Rubensstraat 166, Turnhout, 2300, Belgium. 3. Department of Abdominal Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, Edegem, 2610, Belgium. sander.vanhoof@uza.be. 4. Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp ReSURG, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Although Hartmann's procedure is commonly performed, subsequent reversal is less frequent. The most common reasons for reversal surgery are advanced age, comorbidities, and perceived surgical difficulties. The main objective of this study was to investigate if the length of the rectal stump influences the outcome of Hartmann's reversal surgery. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective case study analyzing data from 105 patients who underwent Hartmann's reversal procedure between 2007 and 2019 in two centers. We evaluated patient demographics, length of rectal stump, intraoperative surgical details, short-term and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2019, 105 patients underwent Hartmann's reversal surgery. Short-term morbidity rate was 58% (61 patients), including 16% (17 patients) with severe postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3). Anastomotic leakage rate was 2.9% (3 patients). Long-term complications were present in 41% (43 patients) of which abdominal wall defect was the most frequent complication. The mean length of the rectal stump was 15 cm. In almost 1 out of 5 patients (17%) the rectal stump was shorter than 10 cm. The three anastomotic leakages appeared in the long rectal stump group (3.6% vs. 0%, p = 0.273). The complication rate for patients with a short rectal stump was similar to those with a longer rectal stump (50% vs. 63%, p = 0.275). Smoking, high ASA score, obesity, and advanced age did not influence the outcomes of the reversal procedure either. CONCLUSION: Length of the rectal stump is not a predictive factor for postoperative complications after Hartmann's reversal surgery.
PURPOSE: Although Hartmann's procedure is commonly performed, subsequent reversal is less frequent. The most common reasons for reversal surgery are advanced age, comorbidities, and perceived surgical difficulties. The main objective of this study was to investigate if the length of the rectal stump influences the outcome of Hartmann's reversal surgery. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective case study analyzing data from 105 patients who underwent Hartmann's reversal procedure between 2007 and 2019 in two centers. We evaluated patient demographics, length of rectal stump, intraoperative surgical details, short-term and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2019, 105 patients underwent Hartmann's reversal surgery. Short-term morbidity rate was 58% (61 patients), including 16% (17 patients) with severe postoperative complication (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3). Anastomotic leakage rate was 2.9% (3 patients). Long-term complications were present in 41% (43 patients) of which abdominal wall defect was the most frequent complication. The mean length of the rectal stump was 15 cm. In almost 1 out of 5 patients (17%) the rectal stump was shorter than 10 cm. The three anastomotic leakages appeared in the long rectal stump group (3.6% vs. 0%, p = 0.273). The complication rate for patients with a short rectal stump was similar to those with a longer rectal stump (50% vs. 63%, p = 0.275). Smoking, high ASA score, obesity, and advanced age did not influence the outcomes of the reversal procedure either. CONCLUSION: Length of the rectal stump is not a predictive factor for postoperative complications after Hartmann's reversal surgery.