• N Regenet, J J Tuech, P Pessaux, M Ziani, C Rouge, S Hennekinne, and J P Arnaud.
• C.H.U. Angers, Department of Visceral Surgery, 4 rue Larrey, 49033 Angers, France. nicoregenet@yahoo.fr
• Hepato Gastroenterol. 2002 May 1; 49 (45): 664-7.

Background/AimsThe ideal treatment for complicated diverticulitis is still controversial. The Hartmann's procedure remains the favored option in patients with acute complicated sigmoid disease but there has been increasing interest in primary resection and anastomosis with intraoperative colonic lavage. A prospective study was carried out on 71 patients with peritonitis, comparing primary resection with intraoperative colonic lavage, and Hartmann's procedure.MethodologyBetween January 1994 and September 1999, 71 patients underwent emergency laparotomy for diverticular peritonitis. Primary resection and anastomosis with intraoperative colonic lavage was performed in 29 patients (group I) and Hartmann's procedure in 42 patients (group II). All data were collected on standardized forms.ResultsThere were no differences between the two groups according to clinical features, biology, severity of disease and operative delay. The mortality rate in group I and group II was, respectively, 7 and 10% (P = 0.6). The incidence of postoperative complication was higher after Hartmann's procedure (P < 0.05). The mean hospital stay was significantly longer for the Hartmann's procedure compared to primary resection with intraoperative colonic lavage.ConclusionsPrimary resection with intraoperative colonic lavage compares favorably with Hartmann's procedure for local or diffuse purulent peritonitis in complicated diverticulitis. It should be an alternative to the Hartmann's procedure in stercoral peritonitis.

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