London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Hartmann's procedure
HARTMANN COLOSTOMY
Hartmann's procedure treats various bowel conditions. Our colorectal surgeons have a wealth of knowledge in this area
What is a Hartmann's colostomy?
This procedure removes part of the sigmoid colon or the rectum - sometimes parts of both.
It can treat a number of bowel problems including cancer and diverticular disease (tiny pockets in the bowel lining). A Hartmann's procedure can also be carried out in an emergency, such as a bowel blockage, perforation or an abscess of the bowel.
Need to know
This major surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon may carry out the operation as keyhole surgery (laparoscopically). If it's an emergency, it will be open surgery. A cut is made in your tummy and the diseased part of the colon is removed.
A new path needs to be made so that waste can leave your body, so the end of the large bowel is used to form a new opening (stoma). This is then passed through the abdominal wall and attached to the skin, forming a colostomy. The rectum is closed off using stitches and placed back inside your body. This procedure can be reversed in the future.
If the procedure in an emergency, there may not be time for preparation. However in most instances you will firstly be given medication to clear your bowel. Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have.
As you'll be having general anaesthetic, they'll let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking before surgery. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
You will wake up with a drip to keep you hydrated, and to replace body fluids. You’ll also have a catheter in your bladder to drain urine – this is usually removed within 1-2 days. Your bowels may be sluggish initially, but your stoma will start to make sounds after two or three days and you’ll have a bowel movement within five days.
There will be a colostomy bag over your stoma. Depending on your recovery, you can expect to be home after five days. Your nurses will let you know how to take care of your stoma. Bowel continuity can usually be restored (reversal of stoma and the bowel joined back up) within 3-6 months.
Our colorectal consultants
We're proud to work with leading colorectal and bowel specialist, whose skills are matched by their integrity and compassion.
Our Hartmann's procedure locations
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.