Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing primary resection and anastomosis versus Hartmann’s procedure for the management of acute perforated diverticulitis with generalised peritonitis

Background Surgical strategies for acute perforated diverticulitis with generalised peritonitis remain controversial. This study aimed to meta-analyse trials comparing primary resection and anastomosis (PRA) to Hartmann’s procedure (HP) for Hinchey III/IV diverticulitis. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted to identify observational studies and randomised control trials (RCTs) of patients with Hinchey III/IV diverticulitis undergoing sigmoidectomy that compared PRA to HP. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed systematically (Newcastle–Ottawa, Jadad and Cochrane risk of bias scores ) and a meta-analysis was performed. Results After removal of duplicates, 12 studies including 4 RCTs were identified. The analysis included 918 patients, of whom 367 (39.98%) underwent PRA. Both the initial stoma rate (risk ratio [RR] persistent stoma 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26, 0.71, p = 0.001; I 2 = 99%, p