Purpose: We analyzed the morbidity and mortality associated with Hartmann's reversal (HR) and the risk factors for major complications and mortality.
Methods: The subjects of this retrospective study were patients who underwent HR in a high-volume center. We evaluated complications as categorical variables using univariate analyses.
Results: Between 2003 and 2018, 199 patients underwent HR at our hospital [56.5 years; body mass index (BMI): 26.3 kg/m2; American Society of Anesthesiology score (ASA) 3: 7.5%; 36.2% had hernias]. The mean time to HR was 20.2 months and the mean operation time was 302 min. The anastomosis was stapled in 71.4% and was performed in the low/medium rectum in 21.6%. Midline hernias were repaired with mesh in 80.1%. The mean hospitalization period was 10.1 days. Surgical site infection (SSI) developed in 27.1% of the patients, 94.4% of whom were treated at the bedside. BMI was a risk factor for SSI (27.8 vs. 25.6; p = 0.047). Major complications (Clavien-Dindo III-V) developed in 27 patients (13.5%), including anastomosis dehiscence in 2.5%. ASA, BMI, age, hernia repair, and rectal stump size were not associated with major complications. The mortality rate was 2.5%. An ASA of 3 was associated with high mortality (p = 0.03).
Conclusion: Hartmann's reversal remains challenging but can have low complication and mortality rates if performed on selected patients in a reference center. An ASA of 3 was the only predictor of mortality.
Keywords: Hartmann’s reversal; Morbidity; Ostomy closure; Postoperative outcome; Stoma.