A novel method to avoid pelvic adhesions following Hartmann's procedure

Objective To report the preliminary results of a novel method to avoid adhesions in the pelvis following Hartmann’s procedure. Patients and methods Nine patients (seven males, 88%) aged 20–63 years underwent Hartmann’s procedure between 1994 and 1997. On completing the procedure a round sheet of polyethylene foil was placed on the pelvic floor aimed at avoiding the formation of adhesions between the rectal stump and small bowel. Results Laparoscopically assisted reversal was performed 1 month later in five (58%) patients, and between 1.5 and 2 months later in the remaining four. No adhesions between the small bowel and other viscera, to the foil, and rectal stump were found. The completion of the colorectal anastomosis met no difficulty and there was no morbidity. Conclusion This method may offer significant surgical benefit, but more work is required to evaluate the technique further.