Elective surgical resection in cases of diverticulitis should be offered to patients
who have experienced two episodes. High-risk patients such as immunocompromised individuals
or transplant patients may warrant resection after one episode. It is controversial
whether young patients or patients with right-sided diverticulitis need to be treated
differently. Chronic diverticulitis can be successfully treated surgically in selected
cases. Adequate surgical resection margins should include the top of the true rectum
and the proximal extent of thickened inflamed colon to minimize the risk of recurrence.
Careful operative planning and the use of proximal diversion if unsuspected significant
inflammatory changes are encountered will improve surgical outcomes.
KEYWORDS
Diverticular disease - elective surgery - right-sided diverticulitis - patient selection
- temporary diversion
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Brett T GemloM.D.
Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of Minnesota
121 Virginia St., St. Paul, MN 55102
Email: Gemlo001@umn.edu
