Which statement about Hartmann's pouch could be considered accurate?

Which statement about Hartmann's pouch could be considered accurate?

• A. It is a distal segment with proximal end closed and left in the peritoneal cavity, contiguous with the rectum and anus
• B. It is primarily used as a urinary diversion
• C. It cannot be reversed
• D. It is formed from the transverse colon

Answer: (A)

Hartmann's pouch is the distal rectal/colorectal stump left inside the pelvis after a Hartmann procedure. The proximal portion of the colon is brought out as a colostomy, while the distal segment is closed to form a blind-ending pouch within the peritoneal cavity. This distal segment remains in continuity with the rectum and anal canal, making the description of a distal segment with its proximal end closed and left in the peritoneal cavity, contiguous with the rectum and anus, accurate. This isn’t about a urinary diversion, and Hartmann’s pouch can sometimes be reversed to restore continuity, so that statement isn’t universally correct. It’s formed from the sigmoid/rectal region, not the transverse colon.

Hartmann's pouch is the distal rectal/colorectal stump left inside the pelvis after a Hartmann procedure. The proximal portion of the colon is brought out as a colostomy, while the distal segment is closed to form a blind-ending pouch within the peritoneal cavity. This distal segment remains in continuity with the rectum and anal canal, making the description of a distal segment with its proximal end closed and left in the peritoneal cavity, contiguous with the rectum and anus, accurate.

This isn’t about a urinary diversion, and Hartmann’s pouch can sometimes be reversed to restore continuity, so that statement isn’t universally correct. It’s formed from the sigmoid/rectal region, not the transverse colon.