New and emerging treatments for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis

nd emerging treatments for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis Review (5196) Total Article Views Authors: Martin ST, Stocchi L Published Date September 2011 Volume 2011:4 Pages 203 - 212 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CEG.S15373 Sean T Martin, Luca Stocchi Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA Abstract: Sigmoid diverticulitis is a common benign condition which carries significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden. This article describes the management of sigmoid diverticulitis with a focus on indications for surgical intervention. The mainstay of management of uncomplicated diverticulitis is broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. The old surgical dictum that two episodes of sigmoid diverticulitis warranted surgical intervention has been challenged by recently published data. Surgery for diverticulitis thus needs to be tailored to suit individual presentation; patients presenting with recurrent diverticulitis, severe symptoms or debilitating disease impacting patient's quality of life mandate surgical intervention. Complicated diverticular disease typically prompts intervention to resect a diseased, strictured sigmoid colon, fistulizing disease, or a life-threatening colonic perforation. Laterally, minimally invasive surgery has been utilized in the management of this disease and recent data suggests that localized colonic perforation may be managed by laparoscopic peritoneal lavage, without resection. This review focuses discussion on available evidence for contemporary surgical and nonoperative management of diverticulitis.