Abstract During a 10-year period, 59 patients had a Hartmann operation for diverticular disease (n = 19), carcinoma (n = 21), anastomotic disruption (n = 5), injury (n = 3) and various other conditions (n = 11). Twenty-two patients (37·3 per cent) died postoperatively. Wound infection or wound dehiscence occurred in 26 patients. Other complications inherent in this operation were colostomy necrosis or retraction (n = 12) and leakage of the rectal stump (n = 3). The mean hospital stay of the surviving patients was 28·4 days. Colorectal continuity was subsequently restored in 12 patients (32·4 per cent) and no difficulties were encountered with this procedure.