Functional exteriorized colon for perforations due to diverticulitis.

Three patients had normal bowel function with the sigmoid colon exteriorized through an abdominal wound for 39, 42 and 72 days. Colostomy was thus avoided during the time the patient was recovering from peritonitis and inflammation in the involved segment of colon. Ready access was provided to the distal limb of the colon at second operation.