Acute diverticulitis

Summary

It is important to point out that this series of 144 cases of acute diverticulitis is a prospective study, with each case documented in great detail; therefore, the study provides a good basis for the evaluation of treatment. No definite conclusions can be reached at the present time, but it can be stated that 64 patients were treated by quite simple means (i.e., drainage alone or drainage combined with closure of a perforation) and only two of the 64 died. Other methods of treatment, such as colostomy or emergency resection, have yet to prove more effective than these more simple procedures in the management of acute diverticulitis. The important thing, obviously, is to save the patient’s life. The question whether more extensive surgery during this emergency period would prevent future symptoms and complications will require further careful follow up of the patients in the survey.