This study reports the use of an intraoperative antegrade colonic irri
gation in the management of left-sided large bowel obstruction requiri
ng emergency surgery. 35 consecutive patients had primary bowel resect
ion with immediate anastomosis (without colostomy) after intraoperativ
e antegrade colonic irrigation. The cause of the obstruction was large
bowel carcinoma in 26, diverticulitis in seven and volvulus in two ca
ses. There were two post-operative deaths (5,7%). No digestive fistula
was observed. The results of this study suggest that intraoperative c
olonic irrigation is an effective method, enabling the surgeon to perf
orm a primary anastomosis with reasonable safety after emergency resec
tion of selected distal colonic lesions.