In most cases, this is a minimally invasive procedure that is done by inserting instruments through small cuts in the abdominal wall (laparoscopy).
Diverticulitis surgery can be risky. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) recommend it only in the following circumstances: When the colon has ruptured, causing the abdomen to leak or develop serious inflammation. This is called peritonitis and requires emergency surgery.
In 4 to 8 weeks you will be recovered from surgery and back on a regular diet, but it is important to keep your colon healthy. This includes eating plenty of high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and whole grains throughout the day. Also, drink plenty of liquids such as water and juice.
Even though diverticulitis surgery is minimally invasive, it's still considered a major surgical procedure. Expect to stay in the hospital for a few days to a week following your procedure.
You'll spend about two to seven days in the hospital after this surgery while your doctors monitor you and make sure you can pass waste again. Once you go home, do the following to help yourself recover: Don't exercise, lift anything heavy, or have sex for at least two weeks after you leave the hospital.
The surgical mortality rate for diverticulitis is 18%.
Procedure overview
A colostomy may be temporary or permanent. It is usually done after bowel surgery or injury. Most permanent colostomies are "end colostomies," while many temporary colostomies bring the side of the colon up to an opening in the abdomen.
According to the American Gastrointestinal Association (AGA) guidelines, it is recommended to perform a colonoscopy six to eight weeks after resolution of acute diverticulitis [1].
Elective Sigmoidectomy. If you've had two or three episodes of diverticulitis, your doctor may recommend an elective procedure called sigmoidectomy, in which the affected part of the colon—called the sigmoid colon—is removed to help prevent a recurrence.
How is uncomplicated diverticulitis treated? In about 95 out of 100 people, uncomplicated diverticulitis goes away on its own within a week. In about 5 out of 100 people, the symptoms stay and treatment is needed. Surgery is only rarely necessary.
Although most patients hospitalized for diverticulitis do not require immediate surgical resection,2 they remain at a lifetime risk for both recurrent episodes of diverticulitis and emergency colectomy and/or colostomy.
You'll likely need surgery to treat diverticulitis if: You have a complication, such as a bowel abscess, fistula or obstruction, or a puncture (perforation) in the bowel wall. You have had multiple episodes of uncomplicated diverticulitis. You have a weakened immune system.
Abdominal and Pelvic CT: A CT scan is the best test to diagnose diverticulitis. It can also help determine the severity of the condition and guide treatment. You may receive an intravenous (IV) injection of contrast material.
Can diverticulitis be cured? Diverticulitis can be treated and be healed with antibiotics. Surgery may be needed if you develop complications or if other treatment methods fail and your diverticulitis is severe. However, diverticulitis is generally considered to be a lifelong condition.
Untreated, diverticulitis can be serious, leading to issues such as bowel obstruction and fistula. Get the information you need to lower your risk for these problems and other comorbidities. Diverticulitis is a form of colitis that can be serious and lead to other health complications if not caught early and treated.
The surgery involves removing the sigmoid colon as well as a small area of the rectum. Because diverticula can also occur in other parts of the intestine, it's usually not possible to remove all of them. After the affected section of intestine has been removed, the ends are sewn back together again.
Probiotics combined with mesalazine have also emerged as an alternative potential therapeutic strategy in preventing recurrent attacks of diverticulitis. One series reported that treatment with mesalazine and/or lactobacillus casei induced remission in 88% of their patients at a median follow-up of 2 years.
Once diverticula form, they do not disappear by themselves. Fortunately, most patients with diverticulosis do not have symptoms, and therefore do not need treatment.
Early surgery is defined as fewer than 3 diverticulitis episodes before resection based on specific claim types.
support that that the recurrence rate after an initial episode of diverticulitis treated medically is about 1.5% per year. Also, the mean age of patients with the first episode of diverticulitis is approximately 65 years, and such patients have an average life expectancy of 14 years.
The prevalence of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding has also been increasing[4]. Diverticulosis of the colon is often diagnosed during routine screening colonoscopy.
Common alternative conditions that can clinically mimic diverticulitis include small bowel obstruction, primary epiploic appendagitis, acute cholecystitis, appendicitis, ileitis, ovarian cystic disease, and ureteral stone disease.
Blood tests
A health care professional will take a blood sample from you and send the sample to a lab. Doctors may use blood tests to check for signs of diverticulitis or its complications.
The recent literature does not identify diverticular disease as a long-term risk factor for colorectal cancer. However, the risk of colorectal cancer is increased in the short-term period after hospitalization related to diverticular disease.
Abscess. The most common complication of diverticulitis is an abscess outside the large intestine (colon). An abscess is a pus-filled cavity or lump in the tissue. Abscesses are usually treated with a technique known as percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD).