Colonic decompression without on - table irrigation for patients with an obstructed left colon

ABSTRACT

This study presented a series of patients managed prospectively by primary anastomosis without intra-operative colonic lavage. Emergency resection of acutely obstructed left-sided colonic carcinoma was performed, followed by primary anastomosis without on-table lavage after bowel decompression. Twenty-seven consecutive, unselected patients underwent bowel decompression, resection and primary colocolic anastomosis. Only one patient developed a leak at the anastomotic site requiring pelvic abscess drainage and defunctioning transverse colostomy. The mean hospital stay was 10.8 days. Emergency surgery on the obstructed left colon can be carried out safely after decompression alone without intra-operative colonic lavage