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CompletedNCT06794905ARESUpdated Jan 28, 2025

Comparing Hartmann's Procedure and Primary Resection With Anastomosis in Hinchey III-IV Diverticulitis: Focus on Ostomy Closure and Long-Term Outcomes

An observational study in Diverticular Disease of Colon, Colostomy Complication and Colostomy - Stoma, sponsored by Azienda Sanitaria Locale Napoli 2 Nord. Completed. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-01-28.

Sponsored by Azienda Sanitaria Locale Napoli 2 Nord · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Retrospective
Enrollment
578
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
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Study summary

Brief Summary

This multicenter study compares the effectiveness of primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy to Hartmann's procedure for managing perforated sigmoid diverticulitis in stable patients. The findings demonstrate that primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy offers superior long-term outcomes, including higher stoma reversal rates (92% versus 58%), shorter time to closure, and fewer parastomal hernias, contributing to improved quality of life. Kaplan-Meier analysis further supports the benefits of primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy, showing significantly better stoma-free survival rates at 24 months. Despite higher short-term readmission rates due to ileostomy-related complications, patients undergoing primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy experienced shorter hospital stays and fewer long-term complications compared to patients undergoing Hartmann's procedure. While Hartmann's procedure remains crucial for unstable cases, the functional and psychological advantages of primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy underscore its value for stable patients. Future research should focus on randomized trials and minimally invasive approaches to refine surgical strategies.

Read the detailed description

Detailed Description

This multicenter study evaluates and compares the outcomes of primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy and Hartmann's procedure in the surgical management of perforated sigmoid diverticulitis in stable patients. Conducted across multiple surgical centers, the study provides a comprehensive overview of these approaches in real-world clinical settings. The findings indicate that primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy demonstrates significant advantages over Hartmann's procedure, particularly in terms of long-term outcomes, stoma management, and recovery metrics.

Patients who underwent primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy achieved notably higher stoma reversal rates (92% versus 58%), a shorter median time to stoma closure, and fewer stoma-related complications such as parastomal hernias. These results underscore the benefits of restoring bowel continuity, which plays a critical role in improving both physical functionality and psychological well-being. Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed superior stoma-free survival rates at 24 months for patients receiving primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy compared to those treated with Hartmann's procedure.

While Hartmann's procedure remains a valuable option for unstable or critically ill patients due to its simplicity, its long-term disadvantages include a higher prevalence of stoma-related complications, such as parastomal hernias and challenges with colostomy management. Conversely, primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy was associated with a slightly higher rate of early readmissions, often due to issues related to the protective ileostomy, including dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. However, these complications were generally manageable with appropriate follow-up care.

The study also highlights shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times for patients treated with primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy, contributing to reduced healthcare costs and improved quality of life. These findings suggest that primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy should be considered a first-line option for stable patients, with Hartmann's procedure reserved for those in critical conditions. Future research is recommended to further investigate minimally invasive techniques, long-term quality of life outcomes, and randomized controlled trials to solidify these findings and refine surgical practices.

02

Conditions studied

  • Diverticular Disease of Colon
  • Colostomy Complication
  • Colostomy - Stoma

Keywords

  • Hartmann
  • Diverticular Disease of colon
  • stoma
03

In context

Diverticulosis, Colonic

23 studies on the registry are indexed under Diverticulosis, Colonic; 4 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 578 is above the median of 225 across 10 observational studies indexed under Diverticulosis, Colonic.

Browse Diverticulosis, Colonic studies →

Lead sponsor

Azienda Sanitaria Locale Napoli 2 Nord is the lead sponsor of 16 studies on the registry; 3 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

The study population consists of adults presenting with acute perforated sigmoid diverticulitis at five surgical centers across Italy, encompassing both academic and community hospitals. This population represents a diverse cohort of patients encountered in real-world clinical settings, allowing for a broad evaluation of outcomes across varying levels of healthcare infrastructure and expertise.

Participants will be selected from patients admitted through emergency departments with a confirmed diagnosis of perforated sigmoid diverticulitis classified as Hinchey Stage III or IV. The population includes clinically stable individuals who are eligible for emergency surgical intervention and capable of undergoing either primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy or Hartmann's procedure. The inclusion of patients from different regions and centers ensures a heterogeneous sample that reflects diverse demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics.

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 18 years or older.
  • Diagnosed with perforated sigmoid diverticulitis classified as Hinchey Stage III or IV.
  • Clinically stable patients suitable for emergency colonic resection.
  • Eligible to undergo either primary anastomosis with diverting loop ileostomy or Hartmann's procedure.
  • Provided or had a legal surrogate able to consent on their behalf.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Hinchey Stage I or II diverticulitis, typically managed conservatively or with less invasive interventions.
  • Postoperative confirmation of as the primary cause of the perforation.
  • Undergoing laparoscopic surgery rather than open resection.
  • Clinically unstable patients with severe sepsis, septic shock, or significant hemodynamic compromise.
  • Pre-existing stomas or prior colonic resections.
  • Significant comorbidities, such as advanced cardiac or respiratory failure.
  • Limited due to terminal illnesses (e.g., advanced malignancies).
  • Inability to participate in follow-up assessments due to cognitive impairments or logistical barriers.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(3)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

Cancer (malignancy)

Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.

Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.

Life expectancy

The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.

05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Retrospective
Enrollment
578 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • rimary Anastomosis with Diverting Loop Ileostomy Group

    This group includes patients who underwent segmental resection of the sigmoid colon followed by primary end-to-end anastomosis, protected by a diverting loop ileostomy. The surgical approach aimed to restore bowel continuity while minimizing the risk of anastomotic leakage through the protective ileostomy. Patients in this group were typically stable at the time of surgery, with no life-threatening sepsis or severe hemodynamic instability. Key metrics evaluated included stoma reversal rates, time to stoma closure, postoperative complications (both surgical and systemic), length of hospital stay, and quality of life after recovery. The technical approach incorporated the double-stapling method for anastomosis, and structured follow-up was implemented to monitor for dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and long-term outcomes such as hernias and recurrence.

  • Hartmann's Procedure Group

    This group comprises patients who underwent segmental resection of the sigmoid colon with the creation of an end colostomy, leaving the distal rectal stump closed. Hartmann's procedure was performed primarily in patients with more severe clinical conditions, including those with significant sepsis or hemodynamic instability, where the risk of anastomotic complications was deemed unacceptably high. Outcomes assessed in this group included the rates of permanent colostomy, incidence of parastomal hernias, long-term complications related to the colostomy, and overall recovery metrics. Patients were evaluated for potential stoma reversal, although a significant proportion of individuals in this group retained a permanent stoma due to either clinical contraindications or patient preference. Structured follow-up focused on addressing colostomy-related challenges and minimizing complications.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Stoma closure within 24 months

    This outcome was chosen for its significant impact on patient quality of life and its role in reflecting the resolution of temporary stomas created during the initial surgery. Achieving stoma closure minimizes long-term stoma-related complications such as parastomal hernias, psychosocial distress, and reduced functionality. The study evaluates not only whether stoma closure occurs but also the time to closure, perioperative complications, and factors influencing closure feasibility, offering a comprehensive view of patient recovery.

    Time frame: 24 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Surgical Complications

    Surgery-specific complications: Rates of anastomotic leaks, intra-abdominal abscesses, surgical site infections, delayed healing, and hemorrhage.

    Time frame: 24 months

  2. Index Admission Outcomes

    Length of hospital stay, stratified by procedure type.

    Time frame: 24 months

07

Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

08

References and documents

Publications

  • Rehmani S, Bhora F, Flores R. Robotic Lung Cancer Surgery: A Missed Opportunity and a Faulty Conclusion. Ann Surg. 2018 Feb;267(2):e34. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001996. No abstract available. PubMed 27643927 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided — The study will include all de-identified individual participant data (IPD) supporting the results, such as demographic, clinical, surgical, and follow-up information, including quality of life and long-term follow-up data. A decision on IPD sharing is pending, considering patient privacy, data ownership, and compliance with GDPR and ethical regulations. Data sharing may be possible upon reasonable request to qualified researchers through secure agreements after further evaluation.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Jan 2017 to primary completion in Dec 2022, 71 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Jan 21, 2025
First posted
Jan 27, 2025
StartActual
Jan 1, 2017
Primary completionActual
Dec 31, 2022
CompletionActual
Dec 31, 2022
Last update
Jan 28, 2025
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 28, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06794905
Lead sponsor
Azienda Sanitaria Locale Napoli 2 Nord
Responsible party
Francesco Pizza (Principal Investigator, PhD, Md, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Napoli 2 Nord) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jan 27, 2025
Start date
Jan 1, 2017
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2022
Completion
Dec 31, 2022
Last update
Jan 28, 2025

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Jan 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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