Is laparoscopy a reliable alternative to laparotomy in Hartmann's reversal? An updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on and updated meta-analysis of surgical postoperative complications after laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal (LHR) and open Hartmann's reversal (OHR). METHODS: Studies comparing LHR versus OHR published from inception until June 2020 were selected and submitted to a systematic review and meta-analysis. Articles were searched in the MEDLINE and Cochrane Trials Register databases. Meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.0. RESULTS: Twenty-three retrospective comparative studies (including 5 case-controlled studies) with a total of 3139 patients with LHR and a total of 10,325 patients with OHR were included. Meta-analysis showed that LHR was significantly associated with a decreased rate of revision surgery (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.60-0.89, p < 0.001), anastomotic leakage (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.49-0.75, p < 0.00001), postoperative morbidity (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.47-0.58, p < 0.00001), intra-abdominal abscess (OR = 0.67 [0.52-0.87], 95% CI = , p = 0.003), wound abscess (OR = 0.53 [0.46-0.61], 95% CI = , p < 0.00001), and postoperative ileus (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.29-0.72, p = 0.0008), respectively. Conversely, mortality was comparable between LHR and OHR. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that LHR significantly improved surgical postoperative outcomes. However, considering the low level of evidence, further randomized trials are required to validate these findings.

Effects of laparoscopic Hartmann reversal on short-term operative outcomes among vietnamese patients / Resultados da reversão precoce da cirurgia de Hartmann em pacientes vietnamitas

Abstract Background The reestablishment of continuity after Hartmann operation is considered a major surgical procedure with high morbidity and mortality. The optimal interval time between the Hartman procedure and reversal is controversial. Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic Hartmann reversal and to determine the optimal timing of operation. Methods All patients who underwent laparoscopic Hartmann reversal from 2008 to 2019 (11 years) at the University Medical Center (UMC) in Ho Chi Minh City were recruited and divided into 2 groups according to the interval time (≤ 4 or > 4 months). The short-term operative outcomes of these groups were compared. Results There were 66 patients who underwent laparoscopic Hartmann reversal (mean age: 63.2 years old); ~ 77% of them had colorectal cancer, and 17% had complicated diverticular disease. Themortality rate, anastomotic leakage rate, and overall complication rate were 0%, 1.5%, and 13.2%, respectively. Early operation was performed in 36 patients, and late reversal in 28 patients. There was no difference in mortality, anastomotic leakage, operative complications, and hospital stay between the two groups. Conclusion Laparoscopic Hartmann reversal was effective with acceptable morbidity and mortality at the UMC. There was no observed impact of the interval time between the Hartmann procedure and laparoscopic Hartmann reversal on the short-term operative outcomes.

Resumo Introdução O reestabelecimento da continuidade após a cirurgia de Hartmann é considerado um procedimento cirúrgico de grande porte com altas morbidade e mortalidade. O tempo ideal de intervalo entre a cirurgia de Hartmann e a reversão é controverso. Nosso estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia da reversão da cirurgia de Hartmann e determinar o momento ideal para a cirurgia. Métodos Todos os pacientes submetidos à reversão laparoscópica da cirurgia de Hartmann entre 2008 e 2019 (11 anos) no Centro Médico Universitário (UMC, na sigla em inglês) na cidade de Ho Chi Minh foram recrutados e divididos em 2 grupos de acordo como tempo de intervalo (≤ 4 or > 4 meses). Os resultados pós-operatórios de curto prazo destes grupos foram comparados. Resultados Um total de 66 pacientes foram submetidos à reversão laparoscópica da cirurgia de Hartmann (mediana de idade: 63.2 anos); ~ 77 deles tinha câncer colorretal, e 17% tinham doença diverticular complicada. As taxas de mortalidade, de vazamento, e de complicações em geral foram de 0%, 1,5%, e 13,2%, respectivamente. Cirurgia precoce foi realizada em 36 pacientes, e reversão tardia foi realizada em 28 pacientes. Não houve diferença em mortalidade, vazamento anastomótico, complicações operatórias e duração da internação entre os dois grupos. Conclusão A reversão laparoscópica da cirurgia de Hartmann foi eficaz, com morbidade e mortalidade aceitáveis no UMC. Não foi observado qualquer impacto no tempo de intervalo entre a cirurgia de Hartmann e a reversão laparoscópica nos resultados pós-operatórios de curto prazo.

Laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann procedure: is it safe and feasible?

The Hartmann procedure (HP) consists of a sigmoidectomy followed by a terminal colostomy in the left iliac fossa and closure of the rectal stump. Although done as a temporary procedure, up to 74 % of patients will not have stoma reversal with subsequent negative impact on the quality of life. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE (PubMed), The Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, and the articles from January 2000 until December 2015, edited in English, Italian and French, prospective or retrospective, were analyzed. Outcome variables included number of patients, mean age, sex, etiology of Hartmann's procedure, time interval between initial procedure and reversal procedure (in days), mean operative time (in minutes), number of patients converted to open surgery, causes of conversion, length of hospital stay, mortality, and complication rates. For the purpose of this review, only 21 studies were considered for the final analysis and a total of 681 patients were evaluated. The mean time interval between the initial procedure and the reversal (reported in 18 articles) was 181.6 days (range 95-330 days), while the mean operative time (reported in 20 articles) was 163.2 min (range 62-285). Overall, 80 patients (11.7 %) were converted to open technique. The length of hospitalization was between 3 and 12 days. The mortality rate was reported in 19 articles and was 0.7 % (5 patients). 113 patients (16.6 %) underwent post-operative complications. The HP reversal is a challenging procedure, but it can be safely performed laparoscopically providing various advantages when compared to the open technique and it should be proposed only to a selected group of patients, young and without a severe peritonitis at the first operation.