From 1970 to 1983, we performed 53 Hartmann’s procedures; 92% of them were emergency cases. Cancer of the rectum and pelvic colon complicated by obstruction or peritonitis was the major indication: it occurred in 31 cases (59%). In our series, however, the occurrence of noncancerous lesions (diverticulitis, volvulus, Crohn’s disease and trauma) was considerable, too. Hartmann’s procedure is the best and often only solution in line with the rules of colic surgery. The restoration of intestinal continuity after Hartmann’s procedure is of importance, especially as far as the time of reconstruction is concerned. In our series, the procedure was carried out 36 times (69%) with a delay of 3 months; no deaths o