Hartmann pouches are a technique in colonic surgery. After a segment of colon is resected, there are generally two options with regards to what to do with the two ends of the colon:
both the upstream end of the colon (the end of the colon through which fecal contents would pass) and the downstream end (the part of the colon that is bypassed) could be externalised to the skin surface through two colostomies. This is often done with a loop colostomy where both stomas are close to one another and drain into one bag. A separate colostomy and mucous fistula are also possible
the upstream end of the colon can be externalised to the surface and the downstream end can be stapled off into a blind-ended loop of sigmoid colon and rectum. This blind limb is called a Hartmann pouch
Sometimes the choice to make a Hartmann pouch is up to the surgeon, but sometimes not enough sigmoid colon is left after surgery to allow externalisation, in which case a Hartmann pouch has to be formed (as part of a Hartmann procedure).
Complications
A Hartmann pouch may be complicated by 3:
dehiscence with abscess formation
fistula
rupture
diverticula
inspissated mucus