Diverticular disease complicated by peritonitis: role of conservative surgical therapy

Peritonitis complicating diverticular disease may be treated by sigmoid resection (with or without primary anastomosis) or by a conservative surgical approach, either laparoscopically or by open surgery. The choice depends on the severity of the peritonitis (Hinchey), the patient's conditions (ASA) and the surgeon's experience. Sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis has a lower morbidity and mortality vs Hartmann's procedure. After the introduction of laparoscopy in colorectal surgery, exploratory laparoscopy combined with drainage has been proposed to treat acute episodes, followed by laparoscopic resection. Since 1982, over 1000 patients have been operated on for colorectal disease: 119 for complicated diverticulitis, 55 of which complicated by peritonitis. In the latter, we performed conservative surgery (25 patients) and resection (30 patients) laparoscopically or by open surgery. Our results show a higher morbidity and mortality for the Hartmann procedure vs sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis and a lower specific morbidity in patients undergoing laparoscopic exploration and drainage. Moreover, there was a low percentage (52%) of re-canalisations with the Hartmann procedure, with a morbidity of 32% associated with this procedure. In conclusion, we believe that a conservative laparoscopic surgical approach may be advocated in selected cases (Hinchey II and III without clear perforation), followed by laparoscopic sigmoidectomy, resection with primary anastomosis in Hinchey I or in cases of evident perforation with purulent or faecal peritonitis (possibly combined with a stoma), reserving the Hartmann procedure for compromised patients.     

Perforated diverticulitis managed by laparoscopic lavage

BACKGROUND: Traditionally the management of acute diverticulitis complicated by perforation has been the Hartmann's procedure, which may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality and the unpleasantness of a colostomy. We present our early experience in managing perforated diverticulitis acutely by laparoscopic lavage and drainage. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients with surgically confirmed perforated diverticulitis. Details concerning the nature of presentation, operative findings, postoperative course and medium-term progress were investigated. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with a mean age of 57.2 years were identified over a 3-year period. All patients presented with peritonitis and systemic sepsis. Ten patients had extraluminal gas on preoperative imaging. Laparoscopic lavage and drainage, without resection or stoma, was the initial management in all cases. Sigmoid diverticulitis was confirmed in all cases, complicated by Hinchey grade 3 purulent peritonitis in 10 patients, grade 2 contamination in 2 patients and grade 4 faeculent peritonitis in 2 patients. Eleven patients (79%) improved and were discharged following a median of 6.5 days (range, 5-32 days). Three patients did not improve and underwent acute resection. Eight patients have subsequently undergone elective resection without a stoma at a mean interval of 6 weeks, which was carried out laparoscopically in all but one case. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic lavage and drainage in the acute management of perforated acute diverticulitis may be a promising alternative to more radical procedures, including the Hartmann's procedure. Acute resection should still be carried out in patients found to have faecal peritonitis or who fail to improve following lavage.     

Acute diverticulitis in heart transplant recipients

Immunosuppressed patients are susceptible to complicated diverticulitis, but reports of this complication are scarce in heart graft recipients. To estimate the prevalence of acute diverticulitis in heart graft recipients, we retrospectively reviewed the cases of diverticulitis in a series of 143 patients who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation in a period of 10 years. Six (4%) of these developed acute diverticulitis and required colectomy. All of them were male patients and were older than 50 years. Four patients underwent urgent laparotomy and colon resection with end colostomy (Hartmann procedure). The two other patients suffered from diverticulitis without generalized peritonitis and underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with direct transanal end-to-end anastomosis. The postoperative outcomes of these six patients were satisfactory. As are other immunosuppressed patients, heart graft recipients are susceptible to diverticulitis. Early surgical management may be safe in well-compensated patients.     

Functional Results Following Elective Laparoscopic Sigmoidectomy After CT-Proven Diagnosis of Acute Diverticulitis Evaluation of 43 Patients and Review of the Literature

We performed a prospective study to analyze the functional results following elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for computed tomography (CT)-proven diagnosis of acute diverticulitis and review the literature. Forty-three of 45 available patients (96%) who had laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for CT-proven acute diverticulitis answered, after a mean time of 40 months, a questionnaire exploring new abdominal symptoms, bowel function, and the patient’s own judgement of the surgical outcome. Surgical technique aimed at removing all the sigmoid by taking down the splenic flexure and do a colorectal anastomosis. Four patients (9%) complained of new abdominal pain. Bowel function was reported as better for 24 patients (56%), unchanged for 16 patients (37%), and worse for 3 (7%). Twenty patients (47%) considered their final result as excellent to good, 17 patients (40%) as satisfying, and 6 patients (13%) as mediocre. Male gender, absence of preoperative history compatible with an irritable bowel syndrome, length of resected sigmoid and residual acute inflammation on histology are statistically predictive of a better postoperative degree of satisfaction. After elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for CT-proven diverticulitis, a great majority of patients are very satisfied with their postoperative general comfort.     

Challenging a classic myth: pneumoperitoneum associated with acute diverticulitis is not an indication for open or laparoscopic emergency surgery in hemodynamically stable patients. A 10-year experience with a nonoperative treatment

Background

In patients presenting with acute diverticulitis (AD) and signs of acute peritonitis, the presence of extradigestive air (EDA) on a computer tomography (CT) scan is often considered to indicate the need for emergency surgery. Although the traditional management of “perforated” AD is open sigmoidectomy, more recently, laparoscopic drainage/lavage (usually followed by delayed elective sigmoidectomy) has been reported. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the results of nonoperative management of emergency patients presenting with AD and EDA.

Methods

The outcomes of 39 consecutive hemodynamically stable patients (23 men, mean age?=?54.7?years) who were admitted with AD and EDA and were managed nonoperatively (antibiotic and supportive treatment) at a tertiary-care university hospital between January 2001 and June 2010 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. These included morbidity (Clavien-Dindo) and treatment failure (need for emergency surgery or death). A univariate analysis of clinical, radiological, and laboratory criteria with respect to treatment failure was performed. Results of delayed elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy were also analyzed.

Results

There was no mortality. Thirty-six of the 39 patients (92.3%) did not need surgery (7 patients required CT-guided abscess drainage). Mean hospital stay was 8.1?days. Duration of symptoms, previous antibiotic administration, severe sepsis, PCR level, WBC concentration, and the presence of abdominal collection were associated with treatment failure, whereas “distant” location of EDA and free abdominal fluid were not. Five patients had recurrence of AD and were treated medically. Seventeen patients (47.2%) underwent elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for which mean operative time was 246?min (range?=?100–450) and the conversion rate was 11.8%. Mortality was nil and the morbidity rate was 41.2%. Mean postoperative stay was 7.1?days (range?=?4–23).

Conclusions

Nonoperative management is a viable option in most emergency patients presenting with AD and EDA, even in the presence of symptoms of peritonitis or altered laboratory tests. Delayed laparoscopic sigmoidectomy may be useless in certain cases and its results poorer than expected.     

Laparoscopic Treatment in Acute Complicated Diverticulitis: A Review of 11 Cases

Aims: We wanted to test the role of laparoscopy in complicated diverticulitis.

Methods: All acute complicated sigmoid diverticulitis cases were reviewed during the last 6 years (December 1999 to 2006). Patients whose medical treatment had failed and patients admitted with peritonitis underwent emergency surgery. However, only laparoscopic procedures were included in the study. Patients were programmed 2 to 4 months later for laparoscopic elective colon resection if they underwent first lavage and drainage of the peritoneal cavity. Results: Eleven patients were treated by laparoscopic procedures out of a total of 37 who underwent emergency surgical therapy for acute perforated diverticulitis. Laparoscopic resection with primary anastomosis was performed in 2 patients (Hinchey I and IIA). Laparoscopic lavage and drainage was performed in the remaining 9 patients (one stage IIA, three stage IIB and five stage III). Three conversions into open Hartmann were needed (stage III). One patient (stage IIB) was lost during follow-up and reappeared 16 months later in general peritonitis. Two patients needed earlier resection because of persistent symptoms. Three remaining patients had a 2^nd stage resection at the allocated time. No postoperative death was encountered. Long-term follow-up (mean 6 months) showed one incisional hernia in a converted patient.

Discussion: In perforated diverticular disease, even though laparoscopic lavage and drainage avoids a colostomy and facilitates a 2^nd stage resection, few patients have complete resolution of the inflammatory process. Resection remains mandatory after 8 to 12 weeks. In Hinchey stage III, the success rate still remains to be investigated and weighed against the Hartmann procedure or primary resection. Faecal peritonitis and instable patients should not be considered for laparoscopy.     

Elective laparoscopic colonic resection for diverticular disease

Background: We undertook a retrospective multicenter study of elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis in order to assess the safety and the results of the procedure performed by a large number of surgeons. Materials and methods: Between January 1998 and April 1999, the French Society of Laparoscopic Surgery recruited retrospectively 179 patients from 10 surgical units, operated on for elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. There were 94 men and 85 women with a mean age of 58 years (range, 30–82). The indications for surgery were acute attacks in 123 cases, complicated diverticulitis in 47 cases, and miscellaneous in 9 cases. Results: The performed procedure was a successful laparoscopic assisted sigmoidectomy in 154 cases (with totally intracorporeal anastomosis in 136 cases and hand-sewn anastomosis via small incision in 18 cases). The mean operation time was 223 min ± 79 (range, 100–480). There was no mortality and 23 complications occurred in 23 patients (14.9%). Postoperative ileus lasted 2.5 ± 0.9 days (range, 1–6), and oral intake started after 3.3 ± 1.3 days (range, 1–12). The mean postoperative stay was 9.3 days (range, 4–50). Conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 25 cases (13.9%). The essential causes of conversion were obesity, severe adhesions, and colonic inflammation. The mean postoperative stay for the 25 converted patients was 13 ± 8.5 days (range, 7–42). Conclusion: Elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis is feasible and is safe. The complication and mortality rates are similar to those observed after open procedures. For experienced surgical teams, laparoscopic colonic resection is a good approach for selected patients suffering from symptomatic diverticulitis.     

Emergency laparoscopic management of perforated sigmoid diverticulitis: a promising alternative to more radical procedures

BACKGROUND: Classic emergency surgical management of complicated perforated sigmoid diverticulitis is based on the principle of a two-stage operation, with colon resection and temporary stoma (Hartmann's procedure). But the later second-stage operation can be technically difficult and can be associated with a significant morbidity rate. We argue that laparoscopy may be beneficial in such patients with peritonitis in terms of operative results and could facilitate later surgical management. STUDY DESIGN: We studied all consecutive patients with perforated sigmoid diverticulitis requiring emergency surgery between January 2000 and December 2004. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients underwent emergency laparoscopic management for perforated sigmoid diverticulitis. Nineteen patients (80%) were found to have a purulent or fecal diffuse peritonitis. No conversion and colostomy were necessary. The overall morbidity rate was 8%; 2 patients with pelvic abscesses required radiologic drainage. The median hospital stay was 12 days (range 7 to 35 days). Prophylactic sigmoid resection was performed by laparoscopy in all patients, with a conversion rate of 16%. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic treatment of generalized peritonitis secondary to diverticulitis is feasible and safe and may be a promising alternative to more radical surgery in selected patients, avoiding fecal diversion and allowing a delayed elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection.     

Laparoscopic sigmoidectomy in moderate and severe diverticulitis: analysis of short-term outcomes in a continuous series of 121 patients

Background

The role of laparoscopic surgery has been shown to be safe, feasible, and equivalent to open surgery for moderate diverticulitis, but its role in severe disease is still being elucidated. The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes in patients who underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for moderate and severe diverticulitis.

Methods

All patients who had elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis between April 2003 and September 2011 at the University Hospital of Luxembourg were selected from a retrospective database. The patients were divided in two groups: moderate acute diverticulitis (MAD) included patients with an episode of left-lower-quadrant pain, elevated inflammatory markers, and radiologic evidence of diverticulitis, and severe acute diverticulitis (SAD) included patients with diverticula associated with abscess, phlegmon, perforation, fistula, obstruction, bleeding, or stricture.

Results

A total of 121 patients (81 MAD and 40 SAD) underwent elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic characteristics, except for sex ratio. In this series the overall morbidity rate at 30 postoperative days (POD) was 12.4 %, with no significant differences between MAD and SAD (16.0 vs. 5 %, respectively; P = 0.083). No significant differences were found with respect to mean length of hospital stay (6.7 vs. 7.7 days; P = 0.399) as well. The overall conversion rate to open surgery was 2.5 % (3 patients), with no difference between the two groups. Conversion to laparotomy was associated with an increased morbidity rate (11.0 % for full laparoscopy vs. 66.6 % for conversion; P = 0.040) and a longer length of stay (6.8 vs. 16.7 days; P = 0.008). There were no deaths within 30 POD.

Conclusions

Elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy is safe and feasible for patients with moderate and severe acute diverticulitis and the outcomes are equivalent.     

Surgical therapy of complicated diverticular disease]

From 1975-1989 55 patients were operated on for complicated diverticular disease at our unit. Intraoperative we found the following complications: 21 walled of perforations, 22 stenosis of the sigmoid colon combined with obstruction of the small and/or large bowel, 8 free perforations with generalized, faecal peritonitis, 7 diverticular fistulae (5 colovesical, 1 colojejunal and 1 colocutaneous fistula) and diverticular bleedings. In 33 cases we performed a resection with primary anastomosis (8 times with protecting stoma). 17 times the Hartmann's procedure was carried out and 5 times a transverse colostomy and drainage was elected. Lethality was 20% and morbidity came to 25%. We consider the primary resection with primary anastomosis to be the procedure of choice for complicated diverticulitis except for free perforation with generalized and faecal peritonitis where we prefer the Hartmann's procedure.     

Two-stage laparoscopic management of complicated acute diverticulitis. Initial experience

Today no secure consensus exists about the best treatment of complicated diverticulitis. The classic surgical procedures are associated to a high immediate and delayed morbidity. In the last few years several more conservative techniques have been suggested to allow a later elective resection. Laparoscopic exploration, peritoneal lavage, and drain of the abdominal cavity followed by an elective sigmoid laparoscopic resection is a new minimal invasive approach. This approach has been applied in our unit to treat four patients. All patients had an acute abdomen due to complicated diverticulitis and one patient had evidence of free air at the abdomen x-ray. At emergent operation pus was cleaned, a peritoneal lavage was carried out, a drain was placed near the colonic lesion and another one in the pelvis. Patients fully recovered without complication and 2 to 28 weeks after first operation an elective laparoscopic resection of descending and sigmoid colon with a Knight-Griffen colorectal anastomosis was performed. Neither residual abscess nor dense adhesions were found at the second operations. There were no complications and median hospital stay after the second operation was 10 days (range, 8-13 days). Laparoscopic treatment of generalized peritonitis due to perforated diverticulitis is an attractive alternative to the traditional management of this disease. Our initial results are comparable to that published in the literature. This approach can be safe and effective in selected cases of complicated acute diverticulitis.     

Laparoscopic Management of Colonic Diverticular Disease and its Complications: an Analysis

Dense inflammatory reactions, loss of tissue planes and sepsis make surgical treatment of diverticulitis complex and difficult. Experience with laparoscopic management of this disease is scanty in our country. This study aims to assess the pattern of presentation, the site of involvement and complications of diverticulitis coli. This study also aims to audit the results of laparoscopic approach for complicated colonic diverticulitis. A retrospective analysis of all patients who had laparoscopic management of complicated diverticulitis patients from August 2007 to October 2014 was done from the database. The site of involvement, extent and presence or absence of complications of diverticular disease was noted. The surgical approach, intraoperative parameters and short-term outcome measures were analysed. There were 38 (8.8 %) patients with diverticular disease out of 427 patients who had laparoscopic colorectal surgery in the study period with a median age of 59 years. Out of 38 patients, 50 % had comorbid conditions. Internal fistulae were seen in 9 (23.6 %) patients, 6 with colovesical and 3 with colovaginal fistulae. Elective laparoscopic colectomy with primary anastomosis was done in 34 (89 %) cases of which, and 10 (26 %) patients had abscess on presentation requiring drainage. Four patients required emergency laparoscopic surgery of which primary resection and anastomosis was done in 3 (7.8 %), and Hartmann’s operation was done in 1 (2.6 %) patient. Two patients required stoma. The morbidity was seen in 15 % cases, and the mean hospital stay was 9.54 days. Laparoscopic approach for diverticular disease and its complication is feasible and safe. Careful selection of patients, judicious use of diverting stoma and appropriate selection of the procedure help to achieve good results even in those with septic complications and fistulising disease.     

Laparoscopic Sigmoidectomy for Diverticulitis: a Prospective Study

Background:

Surgical treatment of complicated colonic diverticular disease is still debatable. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy in patients with diverticulitis. Patients offered laparoscopic surgery presented with acute complicated diverticulitis (Hinchey type I, II, III), chronically recurrent diverticulitis, bleeding, or sigmoid stenosis caused by chronic diverticulitis.

Method:

All patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy within a 12-year period were prospectively entered into a database registry. One-stage laparoscopic resection and primary anastomosis constituted the planned procedure. A 4-trocar approach with suprapubic minilaparotomy was performed. Main data recorded were age, sex, postoperative pain, return of bowel function, operation time, duration of hospital stay, and early and late complications.

Results:

During the study period, 260 sigmoid colectomies were performed for diverticulitis. The cohort included 104 male and 156 female patients; M to F ratio was 4:6. Postoperative pain was controlled by NSAIDs or weak opioid analgesia. Fifteen patients (5.7%) required conversion from laparoscopic to open colectomy. The most common reasons for conversion were directly related to the inflammatory process, abscess, and peritonitis. Mean operative time was 130±54. Average postoperative hospital stay was 10±3 days. A longer hospital stay was recorded for Hinchey type IIb patients. Complications were recorded in 30 patients (11.5%). The most common complications that required reoperation were hemorrhage in 2 patients (0.76) and anastomotic leak in 5 patients (only 3 of them required reoperation). The mortality among them was 2 patients (0.76%).

Conclusions:

Laparoscopic surgery for diverticular disease is safe, feasible, and effective. Therefore, laparoscopic colectomy has replaced open resection as standard surgery for recurrent and complicated diverticulitis at our institution.     

Management of Acute Diverticulitis and its Complications

Colonic diverticular disease is a common condition, and around a quarter of people affected by it will experience acute symptoms at some time. The most common presentation is uncomplicated acute diverticulitis that can be managed conservatively with bowel rest and antibiotics. However, some patients will present with diverticular abscesses or purulent or faeculent peritonitis due to perforated diverticular disease. Whilst most mesocolic abscesses can be managed with percutaneous drainage alone, pelvic abscesses are associated with a higher rate of future complications and usually require percutaneous drainage followed by interval sigmoid resection. Patients who require emergency surgery for complicated acute diverticulitis most commonly undergo a Hartmann’s procedure, although resection with primary anastomosis and laparoscopic peritoneal lavage have emerged as alternative treatment options for patients with purulent peritonitis in recent years. However, robust evidence from randomized trials is lacking for these alternative procedures, and the studies that have reported good outcomes from them have included carefully selected patient groups. There has been a move away from recommending elective prophylactic colectomy after two episodes of acute diverticulitis in the light of evidence that most patients will not experience a significant recurrence of their symptoms; elective surgery is indicated for those with ongoing symptoms, pelvic abscesses, complications—such as fistulating disease, strictures or recurrent diverticular bleeding—and those who are at high risk of perforation during future episodes, for example, due to immunosuppression, chronic renal failure or collagen-vascular diseases.     

Surgical diverticulitis: treatment options.

Acute diverticulitis requiring surgical intervention has conventionally been treated by resection with colostomy or delayed resection with primary anastomosis at a second admission. Our objective was to determine the outcome for treatment of diverticulitis with resection and primary anastomosis during the same hospitalization. We conducted a retrospective review of patients (n = 74) undergoing surgery for diverticulitis. Groups included: 1) resection with primary anastomosis (n = 33), 2) resection with colostomy followed by a takedown colostomy (n = 32), and 3) delayed resection with primary anastomosis at a second admission (n = 9). Despite local perforation primary anastomosis was often performed unless patients were clinically unstable or had fecal contamination. The operation was urgent in five (15%) patients in Group 1 as compared with 26 patients (88%) in Group 2. Serious intra-abdominal complications occurred in two patients (6%) in Group 1 as compared with nine patients (28%) in Group 2 and one patient (11%) in Group 3. Postoperative abscesses occurred in two patients in Group 1, five patients in Group 2, and one patient in Group 3. We have shown that resection with primary anastomosis for acute diverticulitis--even in selected patients requiring urgent operation--can be safely performed during the same hospital admission with a low complication rate.     

Treatment of postoperative peritonitis of small-bowel origin with continuous enteral nutrition and succus entericus reinfusion

HYPOTHESIS: Proximal intestinal stomas established by the exteriorization of leaking anastomosis in the presence of peritonitis can be used to reinfuse succus entericus and provide adequate enteral nutrition. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively gathered data from a cohort of consecutive patients admitted between January 1993 and December 1999 for postoperative peritonitis requiring laparotomy and the construction of one or more small-bowel stomas. SETTING: Tertiary referral center with a surgical intensive care unit experienced in the treatment of intra-abdominal sepsis and succus entericus reinfusion. PATIENTS: Twenty-one consecutive patients with postoperative peritonitis originating from a jejunal or ileal leak. We excluded patients with established enterocutaneous fistulae, abscesses amenable to percutaneous drainage or other conservative treatments, and postoperative peritonitis caused by ileocolic or ileorectal anastomosis. INTERVENTIONS: Early laparotomy with exteriorization of small-bowel leak(s), and continuous enteral nutrition (CEN) and succus entericus reinfusion (SER) via the distal portion of the stoma until gastrointestinal continuity was restored. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility of CEN and SER with temporary, diverting small-bowel stomas and their associated postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. RESULTS: One patient died, and 14 experienced complications. For technical reasons, CEN and SER were discontinued early on in 7 patients. The mean duration of CEN and SER was 58 days and 61 days, respectively. Enteral feedings allowed the suppression of central venous access after a median of 28 days, with 82 days as a median time to restoration of intestinal continuity. CONCLUSIONS: Although the exteriorization of small-bowel leaks with CEN and SER is generally feasible and effective in the treatment of critically ill patients with peritonitis secondary to small-bowel leaks, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, in part relating to patients' underlying diseases.     

Laparoscopic colorrhaphy, irrigation and drainage in the treatment of complicated acute diverticulitis: initial experience

The natural history of diverticulosis is worthy of note for its acute, sometimes recurrent, attacks of diverticulitis and the significant risk of serious complications, such as abscess, fistula and peritonitis. Most mild attacks of diverticulitis respond well to medical therapy while surgical treatment is indicated in the complicated forms of the disease. We evaluate the results of treatment of complicated acute diverticulitis by laparoscopic colorrhaphy, irrigation and drainage as a minimal surgical approach in 7 selected patients. We retrospectively analyzed all patients admitted to our institute for acute diverticulitis from 1996 to 2001. One hundred and thirty-five patients were admitted for acute sigmoid diverticulitis. Ninety-eight patients (72%) had their diverticular disease completely resolved after medical therapy, while 37 (28%) required a surgical approach. Seven patients underwent a laparoscopic colorrhaphy with irrigation and drainage. Laparoscopic procedures were completed in 6 patients. No perioperative morbidity or mortality was observed. All patients were discharged with no further re-operation. The technique could be considered a valid alternative for the management of complicated and perforated diverticulitis in selected patients.     

Conservative and interventional therapy of acute diverticulitis with reference to pathophysiology

Diverticular disease is most common in the sigmoid colon. Its etiology is multifactorial and probably related to low-fiber diets, age dependent changes of the colonic wall, hypermotility and myochosis with subsequent increase in intraluminal pressure. Acute diverticulitis results from inflammation of a pseudo-diverticulum. It can progress to pericolitis and perforation with abscess formation. Therapy of uncomplicated diverticulitis is a conservative regimen with bowel rest and intravenous broad spectrum antibiotics. In subjects with complicated diverticulitis, preoperative percutaneous image-guided catheter drainage of diverticular macroabscesses is indicated. This aims at resolving intra-abdominal sepsis thereby avoiding the need for temporary colostomy and multiple-stage surgery. Interval single stage sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis should then be performed. Generalized peritonitis, with or without evidence of free perforation, should be treated surgically. Long-term cereal fiber supplementation and physical activity may prevent complications and inflammatory recurrences in diverticular disease.     

Laparoscopic treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis: a retrospective review of 103 cases

Background: Laparoscopic treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis is commonly accepted in Hinchey cases I and II, whereas it is debated in the case of purulent peritonitis, and not indicated for fecal peritonitis.Methods: A single-center experience of 103 patients treated for Hinchey I–III sigmoid diverticulitis was reviewed. One-stage laparoscopic resection and primary anastomosis constituted the planned procedure. Abscesses in patients with Hinchey IIa were drained percutaneously before surgery. Patients with Hinchey III underwent surgery in emergency. A four-trocar approach with left iliac fossa minilaparotomy was used. Fistulas were treated laparoscopically with Harmonic Scalpel dissection.Results: Laparoscopic treatment was successfully completed for 100 patients. Intraoperative complications occurred in 2.9% of the cases. Postoperative procedure-related morbidity was 8%, occurring mainly in Hinchey I patients. A longer hospital stay was recorded among Hinchey IIb patients treated for colovescical fistula. No mortality was observed.Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis in experienced hands can be a safe and effective gold standard procedure also for patients with fistula or purulent peritonitis.     

Left colectomy with immediate anastomosis in emergency surgery

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: A retrospective study of our experience with one-stage left colectomy for acute diverticulitis and obstruction with a review of the literature to more clearly define the indications of this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 30 patients were operated for acute diverticulitis (group 1) and 47 for obstruction (group 2). Only 7 patients (23%) of group 1 had an intraoperative colonic lavage while this was performed for all the patients of group 2. RESULTS: The postoperative morbidity and mortality for the patients of group 1 and 2 were 37 and 28%, and 7 and 11% respectively. None of the patients of group 1 had clinical anastomotic leak, while this occurred in 2 patients (4%) of group 2. The mean hospital stay was 26 days for patients of group 1 and 17 days for patients of group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Bowel obstruction should be treated by one-stage left colectomy and intraoperative colonic lavage for patients with low anaesthetic risks (ASA 1 and 2). Immediate anastomosis protected by colostomy or ileostomy could be proposed for patients with an intermediate risk (ASA 3). Patients with acute diverticulitis and a localized abscess or peritonitis should be treated with one-stage colectomy; an immediate protected anastomosis could be performed in patients with generalized purulent peritonitis while a Hartmann's type colectomy should be the reasonable option for fecal generalized peritonitis. Intraoperative colonic lavage does not seem mandatory.