GOODBYE HARTMANN TRIAL: 100 YEARS OF HARTMANN'S PROCEDURE

Left-sided surgical acute colonic diseases (perforated diverticulitis with generalized peritonitis, colon perforation, large bowel obstruction, colon cancer perforation or obstruction, ischemic colitis, abdominal trauma) are still a life-threatening condition requiring urgent surgical intervention.

Despite several published randomized trials, showing that primary anastomosis with or without protective ileostomy is feasible and randomized trials for laparoscopic lavage with conflicting results, the Hartmann's procedure, described for the first time in 1921 as an alternative to abdominoperineal resection for the treatment of upper rectal tumours, is still performed in many hospitals worldwide. It remained the most common procedure for acute diverticulitis and colonic perforation in emergency setting for many years. Hartmann's procedure is safe for severely ill patients; however, restoring intestinal continuity for such patients is often associated with high morbidity leaving a great percentage of patients with (up to 50%) with a permanent stoma.

Hartmann procedure' is a rapid and simple surgical technique intended to decrease perioperative morbidity and mortality. This technique is often performed by young surgeons Indeed, end- colostomy may be necessary in situations where restoration of continuity is risky, either because of unfavourable local conditions (Hinchey IV peritonitis) or because a more definitive resection must be aborted due to hemodynamic instability. Although anastomosis at the time of surgery is an alternative approach to Hartmann's procedure, there have been concerns about the safety of this approach.

In the last decade the Hartmann's procedure has been revalued and the results of different studies [DIVA arm of the LADIES trial; DIVERTI study; Halim et Al] showed that more patients in the primary anastomosis group were stoma free compared with patients in the Hartmann's procedure group.

Several studies have observed no differences in major postoperative complications or postoperative mortality between patients undergoing primary anastomosis versus Hartmann's procedure. Hartmann's procedure reversals were associated with a higher risk of serious postoperative complications than were stoma reversals after protected primary anastomosis. The management of colorectal cancer emergencies is challenging. WSES guidelines recommend in case of perforation resection with anastomosis, with or without ileostomy. Hartmann's procedure should be preferred to simple colostomy, since colostomy appears to be associated with longer overall hospital stay and need for multiple operations, without a reduction in perioperative morbidity in patients with colorectal cancer obstruction. Resection with primary anastomosis should be preferred for uncomplicated malignant left-sided large bowel obstruction in absence of other risk factors. Patients with high surgical risk are better managed with Hartmann's procedure Despite the growing evidence in favour of primary anastomosis and its inclusion as a valid treatment option for perforated diverticulitis or perforated sigmoid colon cancer in recent clinical practice guidelines, surgeons have been reluctant to perform anastomosis. Moreover, the postoperative course of the septic patient is unpredictable and it very hard to estimate it intraoperatively.

In the setting of purulent or fecal contamination most surgeons choose Hartmann's procedure to eliminate also legal concerns about anastomotic leakage. It's important to note that most of these procedures are performed off normal working hours when maybe best colorectal expertise is lacking for decision making regarding anastomosis.

Primary study objective:

1. To evaluate the role of Hartmann's procedure in emergency setting for left-sided colonic acute surgical disease (perforated diverticulitis with purulent or fecal peritonitis; colon cancer perforation-occlusion; ischemic colitis; abdominal trauma) and the type of surgery commonly performed in different level of care hospitals.
2. To investigate which factors contribute in the choice of Hartmann's procedure instead of colon resection with primary anastomosis (Hospital characteristics, surgeon experience, time of surgery, age of patients, comorbidities, etc ) Study design: International multicenter prospective cohort study. Study population: Adult patients with left-sided colonic acute surgical disease who need surgery in an emergency setting (perforated diverticulitis with purulent or fecal peritonitis; colon cancer perforation-occlusion; ischemic colitis; abdominal trauma).