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Generalized peritonitis due to perforated diverticulitis: Hartmann’s procedure or primary anastomosis?

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Hartmann’s procedure (HP) still remains the most frequently performed procedure for diffuse peritonitis due to perforated diverticulitis. The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility and safety of resection with primary anastomosis (RPA) in patients with purulent or fecal diverticular peritonitis and review morbidity and mortality after single stage procedure and Hartmann in our experience.

Methods

From January 1995 through December 2008, patients operated for generalized diverticular peritonitis were studied. Patients were classified into two main groups: RPA and HP.

Results

A total of 87 patients underwent emergency surgery for diverticulitis complicated with purulent or diffuse fecal peritonitis. Sixty (69%) had undergone HP while RPA was performed in 27 patients (31%). At the multivariate analysis, RPA was associated with less post-operative complications (P < 0.05). Three out of the 27 patients with RPA (11.1%) developed a clinical anastomotic leakage and needed re-operation.

Conclusions

RPA can be safely performed without adding morbidity and mortality in cases of diffuse diverticular peritonitis. HP should be reserved only for hemodynamically unstable or high-risk patients. Specialization in colorectal surgery improves mortality and raises the percentage of one-stage procedures.

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Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to Mr. Bernat Miguel, data manager of the Colorectal Unit of Bellvitge University Hospital and IDIBELL for managing the data of the present study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Colorectal Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital, University of Barcelona and IDIBELL (Bellvitge Biomedical Investigation Institute), C/Feixa Llarga s/n, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain

    Loris Trenti, Sebastiano Biondo, Thomas Golda, Millan Monica, Esther Kreisler, Domenico Fraccalvieri, Ricardo Frago & Eduardo Jaurrieta

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  1. Loris Trenti
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  2. Sebastiano Biondo
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  3. Thomas Golda
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  4. Millan Monica
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Correspondence to Sebastiano Biondo.

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The authors certify that they have no any financial interest in this article.

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Trenti, L., Biondo, S., Golda, T. et al. Generalized peritonitis due to perforated diverticulitis: Hartmann’s procedure or primary anastomosis?. Int J Colorectal Dis 26, 377–384 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-010-1071-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-010-1071-x

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