Nonelective colon resection. Alternatives to multistage resections.

Compared with the prolonged cumulative hospitalization and morbidity that accompany staged resection for the treatment of obstructing or inflammatory disorders of the left colon, our results confirm that resection with intraoperative lavage and primary anastomosis is a safe alternative. In the absence of intraoperative lavage, all patients in our series would have required a multistage procedure. Intraoperative lavage with primary anastomosis does not challenge the accepted criteria for safe bowel anastomosis. Rather, it offers another means for meeting those criteria. This alternative should be considered in the management of any patient whose primary indication for colostomy is the lack of adequate mechanical preparation of the colon. Although our experience indicates that intraoperative lavage and primary anastomosis can be employed safely in the treatment of inflammatory disorders of the colon, it is not recommended in the presence of fecal peritonitis, a large contiguous pelvic abscess, or systemic sepsis. In these individuals, the additional operating time required for intraoperative lavage and the potential consequences of anastomotic dehiscence pose too great a risk.