Single‐incision laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's operation through the stoma site: comparative outcomes with conventional laparoscopic and open surgery

AIM: Restoration of bowel continuity after Hartmann's procedure (RoH) can be challenging and associated with considerable morbidity. A technique using single-incision laparoscopic surgery through the stoma site (SIL RoH) has been shown to be feasible and safe. In this study, we compared clinical outcomes of SIL RoH with conventional laparoscopic surgery (CL) and open surgery (OS). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database between 2007 and 2017 in a UK colorectal unit. The access technique was decided by the surgeon on a case by case basis. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients underwent RoH. It was carried out for diverticular disease (n = 71, 67.6%), cancer (n = 19, 17.9%) and anastomotic leak (n = 4, 3.8%). The remainder (n = 12, 11.3%) were for miscellaneous reasons including trauma. Most RoHs were performed via OS (n = 87, 81.1%). The most common intended approaches for RoH were SIL (n = 56, 52.8%) and OS (n = 34, 32.1%) with fewer starting with CL (n = 16, 15.1%). Conversion to OS took place in five (8.9%) patients with SIL and six (37.5%) with CL (P = 0.005). Postoperative complications occurred in 17 (30.4%) for SIL, seven (43.8%) for CL and 17 (50.0%) for OS (P = 0.162). Median operating time for SIL was 146 min (range 44-389), 211 min (109-320) for CL and 211 min (85-420) for OS (P < 0.001). Median length of stay was 4 days (2-44) for SIL compared to 6 (3-34) for CL and 7 (4-34) for OS (P < 0.001). Discharge on or before day 5 was achieved in 41 (74.5%) patients for SIL compared to six (37.5%) for CL and seven (20.6%) for OS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to OS and CL, SIL RoH appears to have shorter operating times and hospitalization, with no discernible difference in morbidity; this finding requires further evaluation in a randomized setting.