Hartmann procedure

Last revised by Arlene Campos on 10 Jun 2024

Hartmann procedure, a.k.a. proctosigmoidectomy, is an operation in which the sigmoid colon is resected and the distal colon brought out as a colostomy in the left iliac fossa. The remnant rectum stump is sewn shut. It is a quick and straightforward intervention and finds most favor in the emergency setting, when other perioperative factors preclude a primary colorectal anastomosis 1. Historically it was a lot more commonly used with a much wider set of indications.

  • infection of the surgical site

  • ileus

  • postoperative hemorrhage

  • abscess

  • death

Henri Albert Hartmann (1869-1952), a French surgeon, originally described his eponymous procedure for the treatment of an obstructive colorectal carcinoma in 1923 1.

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