Stoma reversal after the Hartmann’s procedure

Abstract

Background: Background: Stoma reversal after Hartman’s operation is usually a complex procedure and is associated high morbidity.
Objective: To analyze the rate of reversal after the Hartmann’s procedure and the postoperative outcomes in our experience.
Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing reversal after the Hartmann’s procedure over a 16-year period with review of the literature and of our database and transferred the available information to a data grid constructed with variables commonly analyzed in the literature. Finally, we analyzed the results using basic measures of central tendency.
Results: Over a 16-year period, we performed 92 Hartmann’s operations; 69 (75%) reached the reversal stage. Mean age was 58 years and 52% were men. Forty-eight percent of the Hartmann’s procedures were emergency surgeries and 58% were due to cancer. Mean time to reversal was 9 months and 90% (n = 62) were laparoscopic procedures. Overall morbidity and adjusted for complications grade III and IV of the Clavien-Dindo classification were 38% and 11.5%, respectively. None of the patients died.
Conclusion: The results obtained are similar to those published and our experience motivates us to continue choosing the laparoscopic approach.