Elective Hartmann's operation

Hartmann's operation has been performed as an elective intervention. In the case of tumours of the sigmoid and the upper two-thirds of the rectum this operation involves less risk and less stress than Dixon's anterior resection or extirpation of the abdominoperineal rectum. Hartmann's operation is being performed on, and is recommended for, elderly patient and for those suffering from some serious intercurrent disease having therefore a reduced resistance to operational strain. The authors removed under these conditions 16 sigmoidorectal tumours. In 12 cases the operation consisted of radical extirpation.