Hartmann's Reversal Through Transanal Hand-Sewn Anastomosis With Rectal Mucosectomy for a Challenging Case: Case Report

Introduction: Despite the advances in surgical techniques, Hartmann's reversal is often considered a difficult procedure, and the stoma cannot be restored in up to 40% of the cases. We report a patient with a challenging case of severe dense adhesions and a short rectal stump who recovered successfully after undergoing Hartmann's reversal through rectal mucosectomy and transanal hand-sewn anastomosis. Case presentation: A 39-year-old man had multiple bowel injuries, including rectum, bladder, and ureter laceration, due to a stab wound. He underwent Hartmann's procedure with a short rectal stump. One year and 9 months later, Hartmann's reversal was performed. In the operative field, severe dense adhesions were observed in the pelvic cavity. Therefore, complications, including fistula, were likely to occur. Thus, we minimized the dissection around the rectal stump and avoided stapled anastomosis. Proctotomy was performed behind the rectal stump, and the proximal colon was inserted into the rectum. Rectal mucosectomy was performed for the rectum above the expected anastomosis site. Colorectal hand-sewn anastomosis was performed on the rectum, 3 cm from the anal verge. The patient recovered well after the surgery, and has remained healthy, without any discomfort, except for frequent defecation. Conclusion: Rectal mucosectomy and transanal hand-sewn anastomosis were performed in a complex case of Hartmann's reversal, resulting in the patient's successful recovery without complications. This study recommends the preceding surgical technique for similar cases.