Hartmann's reversal is associated with high postoperative adverse events.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to ascertain the preva lence and pattern of surgical and medical adverse events in patients undergoing Hartmann's reversal for diverticular dis ease. A comparison of postoperative outcomes is made be tween Hartmann's reversal and primary resection and anas tomosis.

METHODS: Data were collected from patients who underwent successful Hartmann's reversal (Group 1 n=121) and primary resection and anastomosis (Group 2 n=731) for diverticular disease in a single center from January 1981 to May 2003. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare early postoperative mortality, medical and surgical complications and readmission rates between the two groups.

RESULTS: Hartmann's reversal was associ ated with a higher prevalence of surgical or medical com plications compared with primary resection and anastomo sis (43.8 percent and 9.1 percent for Hartmann's reversal vs. 26.0 percent and 4.8 percent for primary resection and anastomosis). There was no difference in the readmissior rates (7.2 percent vs. 7.6 percent, respectively, P = 0.88) or early postoperative mortality (1.7 percent vs. 0.7 percent, P = 0.25) between Hartmann's reversal and primary resection and anastomosis. The need for reoperation, prolonged ileus respiratory tract infections, and renal failure were more common adverse events in the Hartmann's reversal group (P < 0.01). Having controlled for the number of comorbid conditions, extent of diverticular disease, severity of peri toneal contamination (Mannheim Peritonitis Index), and op erative urgency, patients who underwent Hartmann's rever sal were 2.1 times more likely to have adverse surgical events during their postoperative period (95 percent confidence interval for odds ratio = 1.3-3.3).

CONCLUSIONS: Hartmann's reversal is a complex surgical procedure that is associated with a high prevalence of postoperative adverse events in comparison with primary resection and anastomosis. To minimize the prevalence of such adverse events, patients who undergo Hartmann's reversal need careful preoperative evaluation and close monitoring in their postoperative period.