Emergency left side colectomy and primary anastomosis with or without diverting stoma: a comparative study
BACKGROUND: Left-sided colonic perforation is a common surgical emergency. While Hartmann's procedure has traditionally been the standard treatment, growing evidence supports primary anastomosis as a safe and effective alternative. The benefit of adding a diverting ileostomy in this scenario remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of a diverting stoma after emergency left-sided colectomy with primary anastomosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicentre cohort study. All consecutive adult patients undergoing emergency left-sided colectomy with primary anastomosis between 2019 and 2023 were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the use of a diverting stoma (DS) or no stoma (NS). The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included postoperative morbidity, anastomotic leak, reoperation, readmission, and 1-year stoma-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients were included, of whom 75 (35.2%) received a diverting stoma. While baseline demographic characteristics and comorbidities were similar between the two cohorts, patients in the DS group presented with significantly higher rates of generalized peritonitis. Thirty-day mortality did not differ (DS 2.2% vs NS 1.3%, p = 0.656). Anastomotic leak occurred in 4.0% of DS and 8.8% of NS patients (p = 0.192). Reoperations were fewer in the DS group (4.0% vs 12.5%, p = 0.044). Readmission rates were higher among patients with diversion (16.2% vs 2.3%, p < 0.001). One-year stoma-free survival favored the NS group (96.7% vs 83.1%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Diverting stoma after emergency left-sided colectomy with primary anastomosis does not influence mortality or overall morbidity but was associated with reduced reoperations related to anastomotic leaks. Diversion is associated with higher readmission rates and delayed stoma reversal, highlighting the importance of individualized, evidence-based decision-making in emergency colorectal surgery.
Authors
- Alessia Dessì
- Valeria Fico (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1619-4164)
- Valerio Cozza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3863-5485)
- Paola Germani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0565-0489)
- Filippo Vagelli
- Marco Ceresoli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7935-3842)
- D Tartaglia
- Michele Altomare (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3879-2678)
- Adolfo Pisanu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6212-9753)
- La Greca A
- Gaia Altieri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0324-2430)
- Adriana Gioia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9507-8596)
- Camilla Cremonini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1503-7087)
- Valentina Murzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4021-2273)
- Paolo Mirco
- Francesco Virdis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5843-4114)
- C. Ferro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6352-9556)
- Dario Palmisano
- Davide Ciriotto
- Lorena Massante
- Luca Nespoli
- Stefania Cimbanassi
- Giuseppe Zocco
- Michele Rossi
- Alan Biloslavo
- Stefano Piero Bernardo Cioffi
- Riccardo Damiani
- Alice Salamone
- Federico Coccolini
- Mauro Podda
- on behalf of the study collaborative group
- Nicolò Tamini
Institutions
- University of Cagliari (IT)
- University of Milan (IT)
- Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT)
- Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda (IT)
- Ospedale di Cattinara (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliera San Gerardo (IT)
- Ospedale Cristo Re (IT)
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana (IT)
- University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Colorectal Disease
- Published
- 2026-06-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-026-05177-9
- Primary Topic
- Diverticular Disease and Complications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca