Diverticulitis of the Cecum and Ascending Colon

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are many opinions about the surgical management of diverticulitis of the cecum and ascending colon. METHODS: Thirty-two cases of diverticulitis of the cecum and ascending colon were reviewed, including 5 cases of nonsurgical management. RESULTS: The most common preoperative diagnosis, occurring in 81.5% of surgical cases, was acute appendicitis or periappendiceal abscess. A diverticulectomy was performed in 25 patients (93%), an invagination in 1, and an appendectomy in 1. In the diverticulectomy group, two complications occurred. There were no instances of a missed carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: I conclude that in those patients in whom a carcinoma can be ruled out, a diverticulectomy is a safe and effective surgical method for management of diverticulitis of the cecum and ascending colon.