Intraoperative colonic irrigation in the management of left sided large bowel emergencies in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Abstract

To evaluate the safety and benefits of antegrade intraoperative colonic irrigation (lavage) and primary anastomosis, after colonic resection, in the treatment of left sided large bowel emergencies. A prospective descriptive study. Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. Thirty seven patients with an average age of 44.86 +/- 16.15 years. Sigmoid colectomy was performed in twenty two sigmoid volvulus, five sigmoid cancer, two faecal fistulae and one sigmoid injury. Left hemicolectomy was offered in four descending colon cancer, one descending colon injury, while anterior resection was carried out in two rectal cancers. Primary anastomosis was performed after intraoperative colonic lavage. The operative mortality was 2.7%, anastomotic leakage rate 2.7% and superficial wound infection occurred in 10.81%. The average duration of hospital stay was 22.76 +/- 11.26 days. Intraoperative colonic lavage added 35.79 +/- 7.25 minutes to the operating time. The results of this study suggest that intraoperative colonic lavage is an effective method enabling the surgeon to perform a primary anastomosis with reasonable safety after emergency resection of selected distal colonic lesions.