Published in:
01-01-2005 | Original Article
Surgical management of cecal diverticulitis: is diverticulectomy enough?
Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 1/2005
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Introduction
Cecal diverticulitis is a rare condition in the western population. The optimal management of this condition is still controversial, ranging from conservative antibiotic treatment to aggressive resection. We present our experience of the surgical management of eight cases of cecal diverticulitis over a 25-year period.
Patients and methods
The mean age of the patients was 54.2 years. Five patients underwent diverticulectomy, 2 patients underwent ileocecal resection, and 1 patient underwent suture of the perforated diverticulum.
Results
The postoperative course of all patients was uneventful. At long-term follow-up (mean 14.6 years, range 1–25 years) none of the patients who underwent diverticulectomy, mentioned any symptom or complication.
Conclusion
We conclude that diverticulectomy, if technically feasible, could be considered as adequate therapy for cecal diverticulitis. Aggressive resection should be considered in cases of extensive inflammatory changes.