BackgroundReversal of Hartmann’s procedure is a major surgical procedure associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patient who underwent laparoscopic or conventional colostomy closure of Hartmann’s procedure. MethodsWe reviewed all patients undergoing laparoscopic colostomy closure of Hartmann’s procedure at our institution between 2003 and 2007. Laparoscopic procedure was matched to conventional procedure by patient age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists score type and years of surgery. All of the patients had a left side colostomy. ResultSeventeen laparoscopic cases were matched with 17 conventional cases. There were three conversions (18%): two of dense adhesion and one of small bowel injury. There was no mortality. The hospital stay, length of incision wound, use of analgesics, estimated blood loss and bowel function return were significantly less for the patients in the laparoscopic group. There was no difference in the postoperative complications and operative times in either group.Conclusion Laparoscopic colostomy closure of Hartmann’s procedure is a feasible and safe procedure and has a similar complication rate to that of conventional procedure.