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Reversal of Hartmann's procedure should allow your to be able to open your bowels in the normal way, which means you should no longer have a stoma bag.
A Hartmann’s procedure can help with colon problems.
Hartmann’s procedure involves removing a piece of large bowel (colon). It is usually performed as an emergency. The two ends of bowel were not joined together because your surgeon decided the risks were too high. Your surgeon made a colostomy (your large bowel opening onto your skin). The other end was closed as a rectal stump. Your surgeon has decided it is safe to join the two ends of your bowel back together.
This type of procedure should be able to open your bowels in the normal way, which means you should no longer have a stoma bag.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about 90 minutes to 3 hours. Your surgeon will free up the end of your bowel inside your abdomen and the end used to make the colostomy. Your surgeon will join the two ends back together and place your bowel inside your abdominal cavity.
Like all surgical procedures, there are some complications that can be serious and can even cause death. Please bear in mind the general and specific complications regarding this type of operation.
It is usual for your bowel to stop working for a few days, and will be able to go home after 5 to 10 days. However, it can take up to 3 months to return to normal activities.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice. Most people make a good recovery after having this procedure.
Reversal of Hartmann’s procedure will allow you to open your bowels in the normal way. You will no longer need a stoma bag. To find out more, call us on 0808 101 0337.
Author: Mr Jonathan Lund DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.)
Illustrator: Medical Illustration Copyright © Medical-Artist.com
Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon
BSc(Hons), MB BS, PhD, FRCS
The Priory Hospital 1 more The Edgbaston Hospital
Consultant General & Colorectal Surgeon
MS,FRCS Ed, FRCS (Gen Surg)
The Meriden Hospital
Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon
BMedSci (Hons), BMBS, PhD, FRCS (gen surg)
The Meriden Hospital
Consultant Surgeon
MBBCh, FRCS(Gen), FRCS(Ed), MS
Bishops Wood Hospital 1 more The Clementine Churchill Hospital
Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon
MB ChB, MRCS, FRCS (general surgery), MD
Kings Park Hospital
Laparoscopic, General and Colorectal Consultant Surgeon
MD, MRCS (England), FRCS
The Blackheath Hospital