Purpose Given the increasing staffing shortages that often necessitate noncolorectal surgeons performing emergency colorectal procedures, this study aims to evaluate the effect of surgeon subspecialty on short-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing emergency Hartmann procedure and whether strengthening residency training in Hartmann procedure could improve surgical outcomes.
Methods This retrospective study included 141 patients who underwent emergency Hartmann procedure at a single tertiary center between January 2010 and December 2021. Patients were categorized into colorectal and noncolorectal groups. The clinical characteristics, operative details, and outcomes were compared. Complications were classified using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify complications and mortality.
Results The noncolorectal group showed higher age (75 years vs. 69 years, P=0.038), hypertension prevalence (58.4% vs. 40.4%, P=0.039), and physiological instability (C-reactive protein >6.0 mg/dL: 55.1% vs. 36.5%, P=0.034; lactate: 1.90 mmol/L vs. 0.80 mmol/L, P<0.001). Complications were lower in the colorectal group (68.5% vs. 36.5%, P<0.001), with fewer major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III, 51.7% vs. 15.4%). The colorectal group had a lower mortality rate (25.8% vs. 3.8%, P=0.001). In the multivariate analysis, surgery performed by noncolorectal surgeons remained a significant independent risk factor for complications (odds ratio [OR], 2.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–6.89; P=0.012) and mortality (OR, 15.53; 95% CI, 2.11–114.18; P=0.006) even after adjusting for age, diagnosis, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, C-reactive protein levels, and time to surgery.
Conclusion Emergency Hartmann procedure for acute conditions yielded better short-term outcomes when performed by colorectal surgeons. These findings suggest that surgeon subspecialty is a critical determinant of survival, independent of patient severity or surgical timing. Improving surgical residency training in Hartmann procedure may enhance outcomes when noncolorectal surgeons must perform it due to staffing constraints.
Anastomotic and rectal stump leaks are feared complications of colorectal surgery. Diverting stomas are commonly used to protect low rectal anastomoses but can have adverse effects. Studies have reported favorable outcomes for transanal drainage devices instead of diverting stomas. We describe our use of the Heald anal stent and its potential impact in reducing anastomotic or rectal stump leak after elective or emergency colorectal surgery. We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of patients in whom a Heald anal stent had been used to “protect” a colorectal anastomosis or a rectal stump, in an elective or emergency context, for benign and malignant pathology. Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were reviewed using clinical and radiological records. The Heald anal stent was used in 93 patients over 4 years. Forty-six cases (49%) had a colorectal anastomosis, and 47 (51%) had an end stoma with a rectal stump. No anastomotic or rectal stump leaks were recorded. We recommend the Heald anal stent as a simple and affordable adjunct that may decrease anastomotic and rectal stump leak by reducing intraluminal pressure through drainage of fluid and gas.
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Techniques in coloproctology - controversies in coloproctology: resection rectopexy is an underutilised procedure in the management of both symptomatic high-grade internal and external rectal prolapse J. Bunni, E. D. Courtney Techniques in Coloproctology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Rectal Stump Leakage After Hartmann's Procedure: A Structured Narrative Review Mohamed Alkashty, Ehab Kahka, Mafdi Mossaad, Waseem Hameed, Abanoub Saleeb, Ahmed Elshawadia, Mohamed Elgazawey Cureus.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of curative emergency surgery for complicated colon cancer in terms of tumor recurrence and survival compared with that of elective surgery. METHODS A total of 238 primary surgeries for colon cancer were performed. All patients were deemed to have undergone a curative resection. Patients were classified into an emergency surgery group for complicated colon cancers (n=40) and an elective surgery group for uncomplicated colon cancers (n=198). RESULTS Emergency colonic cancers present at a more advanced stage (P=0.002). The postoperative mortality rate in the emergency group was significantly higher than it was in the elective group (15.0% vs. 2.5%, P= 0.004). There were differences between the two groups in tumor recurrence (32.5% vs. 13.1%, P=0.003), overall survival (52.5% vs.
71.7%, P=0.017), and disease-free survival (50.0% vs. 69.7%, P=0.016). However, after the patients were stratified according to tumor stage, no statistical differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS When compared with uncomplicated colon cancers, complicated colon cancers present at a more advanced stage with a higher postoperative mortality and an overall worse prognosis. However, the difference decreases when patients are stratified according to the tumor stage. The negative prognostic efficacy of emergency surgery for complicated colon cancers appears to be confined to the perioperative period. Despite the more advanced stage of tumors in patients undergoing emergency surgery, the aim of the surgeon should be to offer a curative resection for better survival, if possible.