Laparoscopic Hartmann’s procedure for fecal peritonitis resulting from perforation of the left-sided colon in elderly and severely ill patients

Background Traditional treatment for fecal peritonitis resulting from perforation of the left-sided colon has been performed using Hartmann’s procedure to reduce the high mortality caused by anastomotic leakage. However, the morbidity rates associated with abdominal incision (due in great part to wound infection, and dehiscence of abdominal fascia) are high. Therefore, we propose using laparoscopic Hartmann’s procedure with abdominal incisions only for the port site to reduce the high morbidity associated with the laparoscopic procedure as compared to open surgery. Methods Between April 2008 and July 2011, we treated 16 consecutive patients (median age, 83 years) with fecal peritonitis resulting from perforations in the left-sided colon due to various causes. The American Society of Anesthesiologists score of each patient was either IV or V. Patients underwent a four-port laparoscopic Hartmann’s procedure. Specimens were extracted through the stoma site. Irrigation of the abdominal cavity with more than 10 L of saline was performed in every case, as was insertion of three 10-mm silicon drains via the port site into the left- and right subphrenic spaces or the pouch of Douglas. Results The median total surgical time was 166 min (range, 123–250 min). There were no intraoperative complications, and there was no need to convert to open surgery. Fourteen patients survived. There was no wound infection or dehiscence of abdominal fascia. Successful laparoscopic reversals of the laparoscopic Hartmann’s procedure were performed in all 14 survivors. Conclusions This laparoscopic Hartmann’s procedure is a promising surgical strategy for treating fecal peritonitis arising from perforation of the left-sided colon.