The Hartmann procedure for the treatment of colorectal emergencies.

A total of 80 patients with colorectal emergencies were treated by the Hartmann procedure at the Oulu University Central Hospital during the years 1973-1984. The median age of the patients was 65 (18-81) years. The operative indications were: diverticular disease (n = 26), cancer (n = 21), stercoraceous perforation (n = 9), vascular accident (n = 5), radiation damage (n = 4) and miscellaneous (n = 11). 13 patients (16.3%) died after a median of 8 (1-33) days, mostly due to organ failure. 44 of the surviving 67 patients (65.7%) had postoperative complications. Intestinal continuity was restored in 34 patients (42.5%) after a median of 139 (65-794) days. Two patients (5.6%) died after the reconstruction. The permanency of the stoma in half of the surviving patients and the technical difficulties encountered in stoma closure are disadvantages attached to the Hartmann procedure which are sufficiently serious that alternative operative methods should always be considered.