This study reports the use of an intraoperative antegrade colonic irrigation in the management of left-sided large bowel obstruction requiring emergency surgery. 35 consecutive patients had primary bowel resection with immediate anastomosis (without colostomy) after intraoperative antegrade colonic irrigation. The cause of the obstruction was large bowel carcinoma in 26, diverticulitis in seven and volvulus in two cases. There were two post-operative deaths (5.7%). No digestive fistula was observed. The results of this study suggest that intraoperative colonic irrigation is an effective method, enabling the surgeon to perform a primary anastomosis with reasonable safety after emergency resection of selected distal colonic lesions.