Emergency surgery for colonic diverticulitis: differences between right-sided and left-sided lesions

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Right-sided diverticulitis is rare in Western societies but is not uncommon in Asian countries. Many of the patients are operated with the presumptive diagnosis of appendicitis. This study compared the results of emergency surgery for patients with right-sided and left-sided diverticulitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Demographic data, type of operation, and surgical outcome were recorded in 60 patients who had undergone emergency surgery for colonic diverticulitis (37 right-sided, 23 left-sided). RESULTS: Patients with right-sided disease were significantly younger (mean age 41.9 vs. 74.2), and there was a tendency to male predominance (78.4% vs. 56.5%). All patients with right-sided disease had localized peritonitis while 74% of patients with perforated left-sided diverticulitis had generalized faecal or purulent peritonitis. Mortality rates for right-sided disease and left-sided disease were 0% and 13%, respectively, and morbidity was 14.2% and 61%, respectively. Longer hospital stay was also found in patients with left-sided diverticulitis. CONCLUSIONS: There are major differences in the demographics, presentation, type of operation and outcome of patients who had emergency surgery for colonic diverticulitis, with emergency operation for left-sided diverticulitis being associated with higher mortality and morbidity.     

Sonography in acute colonic diverticulitis

The clinical value of high-resolution real-time sonography for the diagnosis of acute and complicated colonic diverticulitis was prospectively studied in 130 consecutive patients with abdominal complaints, because of which the disease entered into differential consideration. The results of ultrasound investigation were compared with those of clinical examination on admission. Regarding history and initial clinical evaluation, diverticulitis was graded as "highly suspected" in 19 (36.5 percent) out of a total of 52 patients with later proven colonic diverticulitis (prevalence 40 percent), as "possible but equivocal" in 24 (46.2 percent), and as "very unlikely" in the remaining nine (17.3 percent) patients. Ultrasonography enabled the diagnosis of diverticulitis with an overall accuracy of 97.7 percent, a sensitivity of 98.1 percent, and a specificity of 97.5 percent. The predictive values of positive and negative ultrasound examinations were 96.2 percent and 98.5 percent, respectively. The echomorphologic features of acute diverticulitis include visualization of a colon segment presenting with local tenderness on gradual compression, which showed hypoechogenic thickening of the wall and a targetlike appearance in transverse view due to inflammatory changes and muscular thickening. Sonographic signs of peridiverticulitis (hyperechoic halo) were found in 96 percent of patients, echogenic diverticula in 86 percent. Twelve (92 percent) of 13 abdominal abscesses were detected on initial ultrasound examination and could be treated by percutaneous drainage in seven cases, while six required surgical intervention. These results indicate that high-resolution sonography with graded compression is highly sensitive and specific for the imaging diagnoses of acute colonic diverticulitis and complicating abscess.     

Acute colonic diverticulitis in the young

BACKGROUND: Colonic diverticulitis in the young has been considered to have a virulent course, high morbidity, and high operative rate. As a result, elective resection of the involved colonic segment after the first clinical episode has been the usual practice. PURPOSE: This study presents our experience with acute diverticulitis in the young. METHODS: In the last nine years, 63 patients younger than 45 years were treated for acute diverticulitis at our institution. A retrospective review was performed to determine the clinical course and outcome of these patients. RESULTS: Clinical presentations, radiographic tests, operative findings, and pathology results revealed that 57 patients had a pericolonic contained disease (Hinchey Stage I). Two patients had a large pelvic abscess (Hinchey Stage II), and four patients had a diffuse peritonitis (Hinchey Stage III). Forty-one patients (65 percent) were successfully treated medically with antibiotics and bowel rest. Of 22 patients (35 percent) who underwent emergent operations, 12 patients' diseases had been erroneously diagnosed preoperatively (9 appendicitis). CONCLUSION: Diverticulitis at a young age does not have a specific aggressive nature. Although, it is associated with a high rate of emergency operations, many of these are performed for a mistaken diagnosis. The recommendation for routine elective resection following the first episode of diverticulitis should be reassessed.     

Emergency admissions for complicated colonic diverticulitis are increasing: a nationwide register-based cohort study

Background

Acute colonic diverticulitis is common in the Western world representing a growing burden on health care. We aimed to report the factual epidemiological and demographic characteristics in patients with acute diverticulitis in a large nationwide population.

Method

We conducted a population-based cohort study from 2000 to 2012 on the complete Danish population, which included all patients with acute colonic diverticulitis. Data were composed through two national longitudinal registries. The study main outcomes were demographic development regarding hospital admission, age, gender, geographical residency, and seasonal information.

Results

A total of 101,963 acute hospital contacts were identified from 2000 to 2012, of these 44,160 were due to acute diverticulitis. From 2000 to 2012, overall admission rates for complicated diverticulitis increased significantly with 42.7%. There was a small increase in hospital admissions due to acute diverticulitis, and uncomplicated diverticulitis accounted for 83–88% of all admissions. No significant development was seen in cases of uncomplicated diverticulitis. The majority of patients were older than 50 years (85%) and 60% were women. The male gender dominated in patients younger than 50 years (58%), whereas women dominated above 50 years (63%). Mean age and dominating age group decreased significantly from 2000 to 2012 for both genders. A significantly larger proportion of male patients had complicated diverticulitis than uncomplicated diverticulitis. Most admissions were seen during autumn.

Conclusion

We found that acute colonic diverticulitis has been progressing over the last decade with more severe cases of disease. Our findings underline the need for further research to identify the relevant risk factors and causal circumstances.

     

Image-guided conservative management of right colonic diverticulitis

AIM: To study the clinical outcomes of medical therapy in patients with right colonic diverticulitis. METHODS: The records of 189 patients with right colonic diverticulitis which was finally diagnosed by computed tomography, ultrasonography, or operative findings were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 189 patients hospitalized for right colonic diverticulitis, the stages of diverticulitis by a modified Hinchey classification were 26 patients (13.8%) in stage 0, 139 patients (73.5%) in stage Ⅰ a, 23 patients (12.2%) in stage Ⅰb, and 1 patient (0.5%) in stage Ⅲ. Medical therapy was undertaken in 185 of 189 patients (97.9%). One hundred and eighty three of 185 patients were successfully treated with bowel rest and antibiotics. Two patients in stage Ⅰb required a resection or surgical drainage because of an inadequate response to conservative treatment. Recurrent diverticulitis developed in 15 of 183 patients (8.2%) who responded to medicaltherapy. All 15 patients who suffered a second attack had uncomplicated diverticulitis, and were successfully treated with medical therapy. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that right colonic diverticulitis is essentially benign and image-guided conservative treatment is primarily required.     

Damage control surgery for the treatment of perforated acute colonic diverticulitis: A systematic review

Background:Acute colonic diverticulitis (ACD) complications arise in approximately 8% to 35% patients and the most common ones are represented by phlegmon or abscess, followed by perforation, peritonitis, obstruction, and fistula. In accordance with current guidelines, patients affected by generalized peritonitis should undergo emergency surgery. However, decisions on whether and when to operate ACD patients remain a substantially debated topic while algorithm for the best treatment has not yet been determined. Damage control surgery (DCS) represents a well-established method in treating critically ill patients with traumatic abdomen injuries. At present, such surgical approach is also finding application in non-traumatic emergencies such as perforated ACD. Thanks to a thorough systematic review of the literature, we aimed at achieving deeper knowledge of both indications and short- and long-term outcomes related to DCS in perforated ACD.Methods:We performed a systematic literature review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) guidelines. Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were used to search all related literature.Results:The 8 included articles covered an approximately 13 years study period (2006–2018), with a total 359 patient population. At presentation, most patients showed III and IV American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (81.6%) while having Hinchey III perforated ACD (69.9%). Most patients received a limited resection plus vacuum-assisted closure at first-look while about half entire population underwent primary resection anastomosis (PRA) at a second-look. Overall morbidity rate, 30-day mortality rate and overall mortality rate at follow-up were between 23% and 74%, 0% and 20%, 7% and 33%, respectively. Patients had a 100% definitive abdominal wall closure rate and a definitive stoma rate at follow-up ranging between 0% and 33%.Conclusion:DCS application to ACD patients seems to offer good outcomes with a lower percentage of patients with definitive ostomy, if compared to Hartmann''s procedure. However, correct definition of DCS eligible patients is paramount in avoiding overtreatment. In accordance to 2016 WSES (World Society of Emergency Surgery) Guidelines, DCS remains an effective surgical strategy in critically ill patients affected by sepsis/septic shock and hemodynamical unstability.     

Sonography in the diagnosis and follow-up of colonic diverticulitis

17 patients with colonic diverticulitis of various degree were examined by conventional abdominal ultrasound in comparison to either colonoscopy or operation. The sonography of the inflammated region showed an echo-poor enlargement of the colonic wall (normal less than 3 mm) ranging from 5 to 15 mm (mean 7.8 mm) over a short distance. In cases with bowel wall enlargement of more than 11 mm a spontaneous evacuation of pus from the diverticles was endoscopically seen. A sonographic enlargement of the colonic wall of more than 15 mm is very suspicious to be a peridiverticulitis or a beginning abscess. In two patients we were able to show single inflammated diverticula by sonography. Thus ultrasonography seems to be an important noninvasive method to diagnose diverticulitis including the complications (perforation, abscess or fistulation) as well as to control the success of conservative treatment.     

Late onset Crohn's disease in patients with colonic diverticulitis

Summary and Conclusions Twenty-five patients had Crohn's disease in a colonic specimen resected for presumed diverticulitis. A syndrome of combined diverticulitis and Crohn's colitis is presented, which is heralded by anotectal disease, rectal bleeding, and fistulas. The illness is characterized by multiple operations, failure of diversionary procedures to control distal disease, and a high incidence of lethal pelvic sepsis. Results of these patients' studies suggest that late onset Crohn's colitis should be considered when clinical diverticulitis is present associated with anorectal disease (past or present), rectal bleeding, fistulas, or exceptional difficulty with an initial resection for diverticulitis. Patients with persistence of disease after colonic resection, distal recurrence after diversion, or late fistulization after resection for diverticulitis should be considered to have Crohn's colitis until proved otherwise. Also, patients requiring multiple resections for clinical diverticulitis are also strongly suspect for Crohn's colitis. When significant anorectal disease is present and Crohn's colitis is either proved or suspected, proctocolectomy may be warranted. Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Atlanta, Georgia, June 10 to 14, 1979     

Failure of a meta-analysis on the role of elective surgery for left colonic diverticulitis in young patients

Background The timing of elective surgery of colonic diverticulitis in young patients remains controversial. The present meta-analysis aimed to answer the question whether these patients should be operated after the first attack or, more classically, after the second attack. Materials and methods Electronic databases were searched for papers reporting the results of surgery according to the strategies. Major endpoint was the performance of a colostomy (during unplanned surgery or for anastomotic dehiscence complicating elective surgery). Results Fifteen papers were selected for potential inclusion in the meta-analysis. But, eventually, only three papers gave information about the timing of surgery. Pooling the data of these 3 studies showed that 160 patients underwent elective surgery after the first attack and only 5 patients underwent subsequent emergent surgery at the course of their disease. Hence, no meta-analysis could be performed. Conclusion Researchers should no longer attempt (like us) to answer this question by any meta-analysis. The failure of the present meta-analysis highlights the limitations of evidence-based surgery in some particular fields.     

Increased faecal calprotectin predicts recurrence of colonic diverticulitis

Background and aims

Colonic diverticulitis shows a high recurrence rate, but the role of faecal markers in predicting recurrence is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of faecal calprotectin (FC) in predicting recurrence of diverticulitis.

Patients/methods

A prospective cohort study was performed on 54 patients suffering from acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) diagnosed by computerized tomography (CT). After remission, patients underwent to clinical follow-up every 2 months. After remission and during the follow-up, FC was analysed. Recurrence of diverticulitis was defined as return to our observation due to left lower-quadrant pain with or without other symptoms (e.g. fever), associated with leucocytosis and/or increased C-reactive protein (CRP). Presence of diverticulitis was confirmed by means of CT.

Results/findings

The mean follow-up was 20 months (range 12–24 months). Forty-eight patients were available for the final evaluation, and six patients were lost to follow-up. During follow-up, increased FC was detected in 17 (35.4 %) patients and diverticulitis recurred in eight patients (16.7 %). Diverticulitis recurred in eight (16.7 %) patients: seven (87.5 %) patients showed increased FC during the follow-up, and only one (12.5 %) patient with recurrent diverticulitis did not show increased FC. Diverticulitis recurrence was strictly related to the presence of abnormal FC test during follow-up.

Conclusions

In the present prospective study, increased FC was found to be predictive of diverticulitis recurrence.     

The metabolism of mesalamine and its possible use in colonic diverticulitis as an anti-inflammatory agent

5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is the mainstay of therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly ulcerative colitis. 5-ASA is the active moiety in sulfasalazine, which was initially developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis more than 60 years ago, by linking 5-ASA with sulfapyridine Because many of the side effects related to sulfasalazine were found to be due to sulfapyridine, several drugs that contain 5-ASA, and lack the side-effect profile of sulfasalazine, have been developed during the last 2 decades. These drugs have proven to be quite effective in treating mild-to-moderate symptoms of IBD, as well as inducing and maintaining remission. Although they exert anti-inflammatory effects, their exact mechanism of action remains elusive. Nonetheless, their success in treating IBD has led to studies using this class of drugs for novel indications. Several recent studies have evaluated the use of 5-ASA drugs (mesalamine) for the treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. In this review, we will briefly discuss the development of 5-ASA releasing drugs, their metabolism, side effects, indications, mechanisms of action, and the rationale for the clinical use of mesalamine in colonic diverticulitis.     

Metronidazole-resistant Helicobacter pylori in an urban Asian population

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori eradication is the mainstay in the treatment of H. pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease. Metronidazole is an important component in most eradication regimens. However, the presence of metronidazole-resistant H. pylori adversely affects the efficacy of such regimens. We aimed to study the prevalence of metronidazole resistance in our population, and the factors associated with its presence. METHODS AND RESULTS: From September 1993 to September 1996, 459 H. pylori isolates were collected and analysed. The overall resistance rate was 62.7%. The rate was significantly higher among women compared with men (P < 0.05). When the results were analysed according to each year, there was a significant increase in the resistance rate from 50.5% in the first year to 72.7% in the third year (P = 0.0039). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant rise in the prevalence of metronidazole resistance over a 3-year period. The presence of metronidazole resistance adversely affects the eradication rates of nitroimidazole-based regimens. Hence, in a population with a high prevalence of metronidazole resistance, the use of non-nitroimidazole-based therapy may be more efficacious. This information on resistance rates is important for the empirical choice of antibiotic against H. pylori in a population.     

Acute diverticulitis following cardiac surgery

Gastrointestinal complications requiring surgical correction following cardiopulmonary bypass most frequently involve the upper gastrointestinal tract. Surgical diseases of the colon are quite unusual in this setting. We recently performed cardiac surgery on three patients who developed acute diverticulitis requiring laparotomy in the early postoperative period. The presentation and management of this disorder after open heart surgery are discussed.     

Minimally invasive surgery for diverticulitis

The realm of minimally invasive surgery now encompasses the majority of abdominal operations in the field of colorectal surgery. Diverticulitis, a common pathology seen in most colorectal practices, poses unique challenges to surgeons implementing laparoscopic surgery in their practices due to the presence of an inflammatory phlegmon and distorted anatomical planes, which increase the difficulty of the operation. Although the majority of colon resections for diverticulitis are still performed through a standard laparotomy incision, laparoscopic techniques are becoming increasingly common. A large body of literature now supports laparoscopic surgery to be safe and effective as well as to provide significant advantages over open surgery for diverticular disease. Here, we review the most current literature supporting laparoscopic surgery for elective and emergent treatment of diverticulitis.     

Elective surgery for recurrent diverticulitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: After two documented episodes of uncomplicated diverticulitis, elective colon resection is recommended to prevent complications of the disease but the nature of symptoms in non-operated patients requires specification. METHODOLOGY: A detailed questionnaire concerning clinical variables was mailed to two hundred and sixty patients admitted into our hospital for symptoms of acute sigmoid diverticulitis between 1981 and 2002. One hundred and seventy-one patients (70 percent) answered the questions adequately. Based on the clinical symptoms reported by the patients on the questionnaires, three patient groups set up, i.e. patients treated non-operatively or operatively for recurrent diverticulitis and patients operated on for diverticular perforation. The results of the patients treated non-operatively were analyzed with special reference to readmissions and age. RESULTS: The need for treatment by a physician, the need for hospital treatment, the presence of abdominal cramps, the presence of febrile left lower abdominal pain, the need for antibiotics and the need for NSAIDs were more common in the patients treated non-operatively for recurrent diverticulitis. When the patients treated non-operatively for recurrent diverticulitis were compared in a logistic regression model in relation to the number of admissions, the need for treatment by a physician and the presence of left lower abdominal pain were significantly more common in the patients admitted twice or more often. The same variables remained significantly different when the patients admitted once or twice were compared. Age did not correlate with any of the variables tested. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our results, we recommend that patients with recurrent uncomplicated diverticulitis should be operated on after two documented episodes to reduce the symptoms of the patients.     

Early water-soluble contrast enema in the diagnosis of acute colonic diverticulitis

Acute colonic diverticulitis is usually suspected by typical clinical findings supported by laboratory tests. Investigations of the colon are usually delayed 1 to 2 months until the acute situation is resolved. We studied 53 patients with an initial clinical diagnosis of acute diverticulitis by peforming early water-soluble contrast enema of the colon. The initial diagnosis proved to be uncertain, as 26 patients (49%) had acute colonic diverticulitis as their final diagnosis. There were ten patients who had diverticulosis of the colon, but without radiologic signs of acute diverticulitis. Four of these patients had some other disease responsible for their symptoms. Thirteen patients had normal findings at early watersoluble contrast enema. Three colonic carcinomas and one ischaemic colitis were diagnosed. There were no complications related to the radiologic studies. We conclude that early water-soluble contrast enema of the left colon is safe and useful in investigating patients with suspected acute colonic diverticulitis. If the finding is normal, investigations can be directed elsewhere without undue delay.

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Résumé La diverticulite colique aiguë est habituellement suspectée par un tableau clinique typique confirmé par des tests de laboratoire. Les investigations coliques sont généralement reportées un ou deux mois plus tard après disparition de la situation aiguë. Nous avons étudié 53 malades avec une diagnostic clinique initial de diverticulite aiguë en réalisant un lavement baryté avec des produits de contraste hydrosolubles. Le diagnostic initial a été démontré incertain, ainsi 26 patients (49%) avaient une diverticulite colique aiguë comme diagnostic final. 10 malades avaient une diverticulose du colon sans signe radiologique de diverticulite aiguë. Pour 4 de ces malades une autre maladie du colon était responsable de leurs symptomes. 13 patients avaient une aspect normal de leur lavement baryté. Trois cancers du colon et une colite ischémique ont été diagnostiqués. II n'y a pas eu de complication due à l'étude radiologique. Nous concluons que le lavement baryté précoce par produit hydrosoluble est un procédé sur et utile pour l'examen des malades suspects d'une diverticulite aiguë. Si l'aspect radiologique est normal les examens peuvent être dirigés sans retard dans une autre direction.