Efficacy of urgent colonoscopy for colonic diverticular bleeding: A propensity score-matched analysis using a nationwide database in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) is considered to have good prognosis with conservative therapy, some cases are severe. The efficacy of urgent colonoscopy for CDB and clinical factors affecting CDB prognosis are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of urgent colonoscopy for CDB and identify risk factors for unfavorable events, including in-hospital death during admission, owing to CDB. METHODS: We collected CDB patients' data using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database system. We divided eligible patients into urgent and elective colonoscopy groups using propensity score matching and compared endoscopic hemostasis and in-hospital death rates and length of hospital stay. We also conducted logistic regression analysis to identify clinical factors affecting CBD clinical events, including in-hospital death, a relatively rare CDB complication. RESULTS: Urgent colonoscopy reduced the in-hospital death rate (0.35% vs 0.58%, P = 0.033) and increased the endoscopic hemostasis rate (3.0% vs 1.7%, P < 0.0001) compared with elective colonoscopy. Length of hospitalization was shorter in the urgent than in the elective colonoscopy group (8 vs 9 days, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis also revealed that urgent colonoscopy reduced in-hospital death (odds ratio = 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.46-0.97, P = 0.036) and increased endoscopic hemostasis (odds ratio = 1.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.53-2.22, P <  0.0001). CONCLUSION: Urgent colonoscopy for CDB may facilitate identification of the bleeding site and reduce in-hospital death. The necessity and appropriate timing of urgent colonoscopy should be considered based on patients' condition.

Coexisting liver disease is associated with increased mortality after surgery for diverticular disease.

BACKGROUND: Coexistence of liver disease in patients undergoing surgery for diverticular disease (DD) may increase the risk of postoperative complications, but the evidence is limited. AIM: To investigate the impact of liver disease on mortality and reoperation rates following surgery for DD. METHODS: We performed a cohort study based on medical databases of all patients undergoing surgery for DD in Denmark during 1977-2011, categorizing them into three cohorts according to history of liver disease: patients with non-cirrhotic liver disease, those with liver cirrhosis, and those without liver disease (comparison cohort). Using the Kaplan-Meier method, we computed mortality in each cohort for 0-30, 31-60, and 61-90 days following surgery for DD. We used a Cox regression model to compute hazard ratios as measures of the relative risk (RR) of death, controlling for potential confounders, including other comorbidities. In addition, we assessed the reoperation rate within 30 days of initial surgery. RESULTS: Of 14,408 patients undergoing surgery for DD, 233 (1.6 %) had non-cirrhotic liver disease and 91 (0.6 %) had liver cirrhosis. Thirty-day mortality was 9.9 % in patients without liver disease and 14.6 % in patients with non-cirrhotic liver disease [adjusted RR = 1.64 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.16-2.31)]. Among patients with liver cirrhosis, mortality was 24.2 % [adjusted RR = 2.70 (95 % CI 1.73-4.22)]. Liver cirrhosis had an impact on mortality up to 60 days after surgery for DD. The reoperation rate was approximately 10 % in each cohort. CONCLUSION: Preexisting liver disease has a major impact on postoperative mortality following surgery for DD.

Surgical management of colonic diverticular disease: discrepancy between right- and left-sided diseases.

AIM: To compare the outcome of the surgical management of left-sided and right-sided diverticular disease. METHODS: The medical records of 77 patients who were surgically treated for diverticular disease between 1999 and 2010 in a tertiary referral hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The study population was limited to cases wherein the surgical specimen was confirmed as diverticulosis by pathology. Right-sided diverticula were classified as those arising from the cecum, ascending colon, and transverse colon, and those from the descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum were classified as left-sided diverticulosis. To assess the changing trend of occurrence of diverticulosis, data were compared with two previous studies of 51 patients. RESULTS: The proportion of left-sided disease cases was significantly increased compared to the results of our previous studies in 1994 and 2001, (27.5% vs 48.1%, P < 0.05). Moreover, no differences in gender, body mass index, multiplicity of the diverticula, fever, or leukocytosis were noted between patients with right-sided and left-sided disease. However, patients with right-sided disease were significantly younger (50.9 year vs 64.0 year, P < 0.01). Furthermore, left-sided disease was significantly associated with a higher incidence of complicated diverticulitis (89.2% vs 57.5%, P < 0.01), combined resection due to extensive inflammation (21.6% vs 5.0%, P < 0.05), operative complications (51.4% vs 27.5%, P < 0.05), and in-hospital mortality (10.8% vs 0%, P < 0.05), along with longer post-operative hospitalization duration (21.3 ± 10.2 d vs 10.6 ± 8.1 d, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with right-sided diverticular disease, the incidence of left-sided disease in Korea has increased since 2001 and is associated with worse surgical outcomes.

Prevalence of and risk factors for morbidity after elective left colectomy: cancer vs noncomplicated diverticular disease.

HYPOTHESIS: Independent risk factors for postoperative morbidity after colectomy are most likely linked to disease characteristics. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Twenty-eight centers of the French Federation for Surgical Research. PATIENTS: In total, 1721 patients (1230 with colon cancer [CC] and 491 with diverticular disease [DD]) from a databank of 7 prospective, multisite, randomized trials on colorectal resection. INTERVENTION: Elective left colectomy via laparotomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for postoperative morbidity. RESULTS: Overall postoperative morbidity was higher in CC than in DD (32.4% vs 30.3%) but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .40). Two independent risk factors for morbidity in CC were antecedent heart failure (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42-6.32) (P = .003) and bothersome intraluminal fecal matter (2.08; 1.42-3.06) (P = .001). Three independent risk factors for morbidity in DD were at least 10% weight loss (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.25-3.40) (P = .004), body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) exceeding 30 (2.05; 1.15-3.66) (P = .02), and left hemicolectomy (vs left segmental colectomy) (2.01; 1.19-3.40) (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing elective left colectomy for CC or for DD constitute 2 distinct populations with completely different risk factors for morbidity, which should be addressed differently. Improving colonic cleanliness (by antiseptic enema) may reduce morbidity in CC. In DD, morbidity may be reduced by appropriate preoperative nutritive support (by immunonutrition), even in patients with obesity, and by preference of left segmental colectomy over left hemicolectomy. By decreasing morbidity, mortality should be lowered as well, especially when reoperation becomes necessary.

Benefits of laparoscopy: does the disease condition that indicated colectomy matter?

The benefits of laparoscopic (LC) over open colectomy (OC) have been well characterized for a variety of conditions. Whether the relative benefits of LC differ for different conditions has not been previously investigated. The aim of this study was to identify whether there are differences in benefits of LC for colon cancer (CC), Crohn's disease (CD), and diverticular disease (DD). Data of patients with CC, CD, and DD undergoing elective colectomy from January 2000 to December 2007 were identified from departmental databases. Patients with CC, CD, and DD undergoing LC were matched 1:1 for diagnosis, gender, body mass index, surgical procedure, American Society of Anesthesiologists scale, and date of surgery to patients undergoing OC. TNM stage was also matched for patients with CC. Two hundred eighty-nine patients undergoing LC (CC, 93; CD, 140; DD, 56) were matched 1:1 to 289 patients undergoing OC. Median age was 49 years (range, 14 to 91 years) in LC and 52 years (range, 14 to 98 years) in OC (P = 0.35). All other matched criteria were also similar in both groups. The conversion rate to OC was 13 per cent (n = 36). Patients undergoing LC had significantly shorter lengths of stay (LOS) (3 days [range, 1 to 70 days] vs 6 days [range, 1 to 37 days], P < 0.001) and lower estimated blood loss (EBL) (100 mL [range, 10 to 1750 mL] vs 200 mL [range, 10 to 1700 mL], P < 0.001). Median operative time was similar in both groups (LC: 145 minutes [range, 35 to 431 minutes] vs OC: 135 minutes [range, 23 to 485 minutes], P = 0.54). The conversion rate was lower for DD (2%) when compared with CC (18.9%) and CD (13.4%). Improvement in EBL with LC was least pronounced in patients with CD and most pronounced in patients with DD (P interaction < 0.001). In the LC group, patients with DD presented less postoperative complications (P = 0.009). LC results in reduced LOS and EBL with similar complications rates when compared with OC. The benefits of LC are more pronounced in DD when compared with CD and CC.

Natural history of acute colonic diverticular bleeding: a prospective study in 133 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding recurrence rate after spontaneous haemostasis of colonic diverticular haemorrhage varies in the literature, and a small minority of patients will require endoscopic, radiological or surgical intervention. AIM: To study the natural history of colonic diverticular bleeding in consecutive patients. METHODS: We studied prospectively consecutive patients admitted for colonic diverticular bleeding from 1997 to 2005. Data on age, gender, 30-day mortality, therapeutic modality for bleeding management and subsequent rebleeding were collected. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-three patients (mean age 75.7 years) were recruited. Bleeding stopped spontaneously in 123 patients (92.4%). A more interventional approach was necessary in 10 patients. Thirty-day mortality rate for first bleeding was 2.25%. Out of the 123 patients managed conservatively and submitted to an average follow-up of 47.5 months, 17 (13.8%) presented at least one recurrent diverticular bleeding. Spontaneous haemostasis was obtained in all recurrent cases except one, who died. The estimated bleeding recurrence rate was 3.8% at 1 year, 6.9% at 5 years and 9.8% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The low estimated rebleeding rate and the fact that rebleeding can be treated conservatively in most cases suggest that an aggressive approach with intervention is not justified.

A population-based study of perforated diverticular disease incidence and associated mortality.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Perforated diverticular disease represents the most serious complication of diverticular disease, but little is known regarding its occurrence and mortality. We aimed to determine the incidence and mortality associated with diverticular perforation and the influence of comorbidity. METHODS: We used a population-based cohort study using patients with perforated diverticular disease and population controls identified from 1990 to 2005 in the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Incidence and mortality rates were modelled using Poisson and Cox regression. Comorbidity was quantified using the Charlson index. RESULTS: We identified 953 incident patients. The overall incidence was 2.66 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49-2.83) per 100,000 person-years. The incidence rates increased 2.28-fold (95% CI: 1.79-2.95) when corrected for age and sex between 1990 and 2005. The risk of death was highest in the first year with a 6-fold increase (hazard ratio [HR], 5.63; 95% CI: 4.68-6.77). Adjusted for age and sex, the risk of death in the first year was highest in those with lowest comorbidity (HR, 11.11; 95% CI: 8.06-15.31), but the absolute mortality rates were greatest in those with the highest comorbidity (263.1 per 1000 person-years). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of perforated diverticular disease has doubled over the period of the study. Patients presenting with a perforated diverticulum are 6 times more likely to die than the general population during the first year following perforation. Those who have the greatest comorbidity are the most likely to die; however, those with least comorbidity have an 11-fold increase in mortality in the first year.

Use of Hartmann's procedure in England.

INTRODUCTION: Hartmann's procedure is widely used in the management of complicated diverticular disease and for colorectal cancer. Very little national data are available about the reasons for performing this procedure and the reversal rate. METHOD: Hospital episode statistics data were obtained from The Department of Health and exported to an Access database for analysis. A cohort of patients who underwent a Hartmann's procedure between April 2001 and March 2002 were identified and followed until April 2006 to identify patients undergoing reversal of Hartmann's. RESULTS: Approximately 3950 Hartmann's procedures were performed between April 2001 and March 2002, 2853 as an emergency and 1097 as an elective procedure. Most emergency Hartmann's were performed for benign disease (2067, 72.5%) whereas a majority of the elective Hartmann's were performed for cancer (756, 68.9%). Seven hundred and thirty six (23.3%) of these patients underwent reversal during the study period. The median time interval between a Hartmann's procedure and reversal was 284.5 days (interquartile range 181-468.25). CONCLUSION: This study represents the single largest cohort in whom outcome after Hartmann's procedure has been studied. A majority of Hartmann's are performed as an emergency for benign diseases and most of them are not reversed.

The AFC score: validation of a 4-item predicting score of postoperative mortality after colorectal resection for cancer or diverticulitis: results of a prospective multicenter study in 1049 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present prospective study was to validate externally a 4-item predictive score of mortality after colorectal surgery (the AFC score) by testing its generalizability on a new population. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: We have recently reported, in a French prospective multicenter study, that age older than 70 years, neurologic comorbidity, underweight (body weight loss >10% in <6 months), and emergency surgery significantly increased postoperative mortality after resection for cancer or diverticulitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June to September 2004, 1049 consecutive patients (548 men and 499 women) with a mean age of 67 +/- 14 years, undergoing open or laparoscopic colorectal resection, were prospectively included. The AFC score was validated in this population. We assessed also the predictive value of other scores, such as the "Glasgow" score and the ASA score. To express and compare the predictive value of the different scores, a receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality rate was 4.6%. Variables already identified as predictors of mortality and used in the AFC score were also found to be associated with a high odds ratio in this study: emergency surgery, body weight loss >10%, neurologic comorbidity, and age older than 70 years in a multivariate logistic model. The validity of the AFC score in this population was found very high based both on the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test (P = 0.37) and on the area under the ROC curve (0.89). We also found that discriminatory capacity was higher than other currently used risk scoring systems such as the Glasgow or ASA score. CONCLUSION: The present prospective study validated the AFC score as a pertinent predictive score of postoperative mortality after colorectal surgery. Because it is based on only 4 risk factors, the AFC score can be used in daily practice.

Prospective multicentre evaluation of adverse outcomes following treatment for complicated diverticular disease.

BACKGROUND: The choice of operation for complicated diverticular disease is contentious. The aim of this study was to investigate adverse events following restorative (primary resection and anastomosis, PRA) and non-restorative (Hartmann's procedure, HP) surgery for complicated diverticular disease. METHODS: Five hundred and thirty-nine patients who presented with complicated diverticular disease in 42 centres over a 12-month period from January 2003 were considered for the study. Data were collected prospectively from 248 patients (46.0 per cent) who underwent PRA and 167 (31.0 per cent) who had HP. A propensity score was developed for case-mix adjustment. Multifactorial logistic regression was used to evaluate differences in operative outcomes. RESULTS: Mortality, surgical and medical complication rates were 4.0, 31.0 and 13.7 per cent respectively after PRA, and 23.4, 53.3 and 40.7 per cent for HP (all P < 0.001). After adjusting for the propensity score, the HP group had a 2.1- and 1.9-fold increase in medical and surgical complications respectively compared with those who had PRA, whereas the operative mortality rate was not significantly different. Non-colorectal surgeons performed a significantly higher proportion of HPs in the non-elective setting than colorectal surgeons (80.6 versus 60.4 per cent; chi(2) = 8.31, 1 d.f., P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: PRA with or without a proximal diversion is more often performed non-electively by specialist colorectal surgeons. It may be a safe procedure for complicated diverticular disease in selected patients as it may be associated with fewer postoperative adverse events.

Comparison of POSSUM scoring systems and the surgical risk scale in patients undergoing surgery for complicated diverticular disease.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of the Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity, Portsmouth-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity, colorectal-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity, and the Surgical Risk Scale for the treatment of patients with complicated diverticular disease. METHODS: Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity variables were prospectively recorded for 324 patients undergoing colorectal resections in 42 hospitals in the United Kingdom from January to December 2003. The accuracy of each model was evaluated by measures of discrimination, calibration, and subgroup analysis. RESULTS: The overall operative mortality was 10.8 percent (Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity-estimated mortality rate, 21.9 percent; Portsmouth-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity-estimated mortality rate, 10.5 percent; colorectal-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity-estimated mortality rate, 10 percent; Surgical Risk Scale-estimated mortality rate, 38.2 percent). Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity and the Surgical Risk Scale over-predicted mortality in young patients (P < 0.001) and Portsmouth-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity underpredicted mortality in elderly patients (P < 0.001). Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity and the Surgical Risk Scale overpredicted mortality in patients with generalized peritonitis (Hinchey III and IV). There was no significant difference between the observed and colorectal-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity predicted mortality across patient subgroups and when the overall sample was considered. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggested a lack of calibration of Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity, Portsmouth-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity, and the Surgical Risk Scale at the extreme of age and for patients with severe peritoneal contamination. Colorectal-Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity was found to accurately evaluate mortality arising from complicated diverticular disease.

Impact of primary resection on the outcome of patients with perforated diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: Primary resection has replaced the conventional drainage procedure in the management of patients with generalized peritonitis complicating diverticular disease of the colon. This study investigates the impact of primary resection on operative mortality, identifies predictors of mortality, and compares the results with those of our earlier experience. HYPOTHESIS: Primary resection of the perforated diseased segment of the colon is associated with lower mortality rates than the drainage procedure in patients with Hinchey stages 3 and 4 diverticulitis. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Tertiary care referral center. PATIENTS: We included 138 consecutive patients who underwent emergent operation for generalized peritonitis complicating diverticular disease of the colon (Hinchey stages 3 and 4) during a period of 16 years (January 1983 to May 1999). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 30-day mortality rate was analyzed and predictors of mortality identified. RESULTS: Patients were classified as having spreading purulent peritonitis (n = 44, 31.9%), diffuse peritonitis (n = 64, 46.4%), or fecal peritonitis (n = 30, 21.7%). One hundred thirty-one patients (94.9%) underwent primary resection, 6 patients (4.3%) underwent resection and primary anastomosis, and 1 patient required total colectomy and end ileostomy. Thirteen of the 138 patients in the present group died (1983-1998), representing a perioperative mortality rate of 9%. There was no significant difference in mortality when compared with our earlier study (1972-1982), which had a mortality rate of 12%, considering that more than 25% of the patients in that group were managed by colostomy and drainage alone. Factors identified univariately as predictors of mortality were age of more than 70 years (P = .047), 2 or more comorbid conditions (P<.01), obstipation at initial examination (P = .02), use of steroids (P = .01), and perioperative sepsis (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary resection has become the standard practice for patients with generalized peritonitis complicating diverticulitis. Mortality rates have not significantly declined despite more aggressive surgical management of the septic source. Because advanced age, comorbid conditions, and perioperative sepsis predict mortality, it is suggested that further reduction in mortality will require improvement in medical management of perioperative sepsis and comorbid conditions.

Trends in dietary fiber intake in Japan over the last century.

BACKGROUND: Insufficient intake of dietary fiber (DF) is currently a major problem in the overall promotion of health in the general population in Japan. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze the time trends in DF intake, including DF density (total DF intake/1,000 kcal), and the ratio of water-insoluble fiber to water-soluble fiber (IS ratio) in Japan. METHODS: The time trend in DF intake in Japan was calculated from data compiled in the Japanese National Nutrition Survey. RESULTS: The mean daily DF intake (total DF intake) in 1952 was 20.5 g/day, which rapidly declined to about 70 % of the 1952 level in 1970, after which there was little change to 1998. DF density in 1952 was 9.7 g/1000 kcal, which declined by about 30 % in 1970, and remained at about the same level to 1998. The IS ratio has remained stable over this period. Whereas total DF intake and DF density in Japan are similar to those in Western countries, the IS ratios are higher in Japan. Therefore, the higher incidence of, and mortality from, colon diverticulosis, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, etc., which are all thought to be related to fiber deficiency, in Western countries compared to Japan might be due to the differences in the IS ratio. CONCLUSIONS: A decline in total DF intake and DF density is predicted for Japan in the future, because these parameters were lower among the younger generation. This may be due to the marked changes in the dietary habits of the younger generation, and is a problematic trend for Japanese health.

Operative management of diverticular emergencies: strategies and outcomes.

HYPOTHESIS: A selective surgical approach using either a 1- or a 2-stage resection is relatively safe and effective in the management of acute complicated colonic diverticulosis. DESIGN: A consecutive cohort study. SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty-nine consecutive patients who underwent emergency operations for diverticular disease between July 1, 1984, and June 30, 1999. There were 53 male and 36 female patients (mean age, 47 years). The ethnic background was predominantly Mexican American (58 patients [65.2%]). INTERVENTIONS: Resections of the affected colon (n = 83) plus construction of a Hartmann pouch or mucous fistula (n = 72) or primary anastomosis (n = 11). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Sixty-eight operations were performed for perforation at an annual rate that has increased greater than 75% in the past 15 years. Another 14 patients underwent operations for obstruction, and 7 underwent operations to control unremitting hemorrhage. Surgical therapy included resection of the affected segment of the bowel in 83 (93%) of the 89 patients, and a Hartmann pouch or mucous fistula was added in 72 (81%). A primary anastomosis was performed in 4 (80%) of 5 right-sided lesions but in only 7 (8%) of 84 left-sided lesions. Morbidity occurred in 38 (43%) of the 89 patients, and the mortality was 4%, with 4 deaths occurring secondary to sepsis in high-risk patients with perforations (n = 3) or obstructions (n = 1). The average length of hospital stay was 19.7 days (range, 5-80 days). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency operations for diverticular disease are uncommon but may be associated with substantial morbidity and occasional mortality. Complicated diverticulosis may present at a relatively young age, and perforated forms appear to be increasing rapidly in prevalence. Most diverticular lesions can be satisfactorily managed using a selective approach based on resection with either a primary anastomosis or a temporary colostomy.

Enfermedad diverticular del colon: análisis de 144 casos operados / Colon diverticular disease: analysis of 144 cases

Se presenta la experiencia acumulada en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile en el tratamiento quirúrgico de la Enfermedad Diverticular del Colon (EDC), entre los años 1985 y 1998, correspondiendo a un universo de 144 pacientes operados en forma consecutiva. El análisis fue retrospectivo y consideró aspectos clínicos, formas de presentación, indicación operatoria y su urgencia, el tipo de operaciones realizadas y los resultados en términos de mortalidad en los pacientes electivos y los de urgencia y, además, en relación con el tipo de complicación que motivó la cirugía. Se hizo el análisis estadístico con chi cuadrado corregido y test de Mann Whitney, pudiendo concluir que la mortalidad en los pacientes de urgencia es significativamente mayor que en los operados en forma electiva y que los pacientes que fallecieron pertenecían a un grupo etario mayor que aquellos que sobrevivieron, lo que también alcanza significación estadística

Predictive value of a pathophysiological score in the surgical treatment of perforated diverticular disease.

Resection is the preferred method of perforated diverticular disease treatment compared to conservative treatment. However, the immediate or deferred timing of bowel continuity restoration for advanced degrees of peritoneal contamination is debatable. This is a retrospective study designed to identify operative mortality predictors and guidelines for safe primary anastomosis. A pathophysiological score (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation, APACHE II) was applied to 135 consecutive patients who had undergone surgery for acute inflammatory complication of diverticular disease. A multivariate analysis was used to identify prognostic factors such as age, chronic diseases, neoplastic cancer, Acute Physiology Score (APS), Hinchey's classification and APACHE II scores. Seventy patients underwent primary resection and anastomosis, 35 underwent Hartmann's procedure and 15 conservative treatment. There was a significant correlation between operative mortality and increasing disease severity based on Hinchey's classification, APS and APACHE II scores. The multivariate analysis proved APACHE II scores to be the only prognostic factor of operative mortality. Both single and multivariate analysis of variance failed to identify a factor significantly associated with surgical and/or medical postoperative complications. APACHE II scores were the best predictor for operative mortality in patients with diverticular disease complications, but none of the classification criteria used was effective in predicting postoperative complication. Patients with phlegmonous sigmoiditis can be safely treated with primary resection and anastomosis. Conservative treatment should not be considered an effective method for diverticular disease. A prospective trial comparing resection with and without colostomy should be done for local and diffuse purulent peritonitis treatment. Hartmann's procedure is seen to be the only indicator for faecal peritonitis.

[Surgical treatment of complicated diverticular disease of the colon]. / Il trattamento chirurgico della malattia diverticolare complicata del colon.

The present study analyzes the results obtained by the AA with the different types of surgery adopted in the treatment of the complicated diverticulosis of the colon, highlighting, on the basis of data available in literature, the possible treatments in the different clinical settings. A retrospective study analyzing type of complication, the surgical technique adopted, Hinchey stage, mortality and morbidity rates and average hospital stay correlated with the kind of intervention has been carried out on 83 surgical interventions performed between 1984 and 1988. The results show that 43 R.A.P. (R.A.P. = primitive anastomosis resection) (32 cases at the I-II stage and 11 cases at the III-IV stage), 27 Hartmann (11 at the I-II and 16 at the III-IV), 9 colostomies (2 at the I-II and 7 at the III-IV), 2 esteriorizations and 2 simple drains have been carried out on a total of 44 intestinal perforations, 16 recurrent diverticulitis, 13 intestinal occlusions, 2 fistulae, 5 abscesses and 3 hemorrhages. The total mortality rate amounts to 10.6%; the morbidity rate of the R.A.P. interventions to 14.4 (I-II stage-related morbidity = 15.6%, III-IV stage = 63.6%), Hartmann's to 9.6% and that of the colostomies to 3.6%. Furthermore, in this work, we have considered the cases of riconversation after Hartmann interventions (9 cases): in the second operations the mortality and morbility rate amounts to 0 and the hospital stay to 9 days. The AA analyze on the surgical technique adopted in the different cases and the of choice criteria. According to the data obtained and to current literature, it results that the primitive anastomosis resection represents the first choice intervention at the I-II stage, although, in selected cases, it can be carried out also at the III-IV stage. Hartmann surgery confirms its effectiveness while simple colostomy is no longer accepted in literature.

Epidemiology and outcome of patients hospitalized with acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: Population-based data on the epidemiology and outcome of patients hospitalized with acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage (ALGIH) are lacking. This survey of the incidence, etiology, therapy, and long-term outcome of patients with ALGIH was conducted in a defined population. METHODS: In a large health maintenance organization, discharge data and colonoscopy records were used to identify adults hospitalized with ALGIH from 1990 to 1993. Data were collected by record review and telephone calls. RESULTS: Two hundred nineteen patients had 235 hospitalizations, yielding an estimated annual incidence rate of 20.5 patients/100,000 (24.2 in males versus 17.2 in females, p < .001). The rate increased > 200-fold from the third to the ninth decades of life. Diagnoses were: colonic diverticulosis, 91 (41.6%); colorectal malignancy, 20 (9.1%); ischemic colitis, 19 (8.7%); miscellaneous, 63 (28.8%); and unknown, 26 (11.9%). Eight (3.6%) patients died in the hospital (5 of 206 (2.4%) with hemorrhage before admission versus 3 of 13 (23.1%) with hemorrhage after admission, p < .001). Follow-up of 210 of 211 (99.5%) survivors was 34.0 +/- 1.1 months. In the 83 diverticulosis patients without definitive therapy, the hemorrhage recurrence rate (Kaplan-Meier method) was 9% at 1 year, 10% at 2 years, 19% at 3 years, and 25% at 4 years. In the 89 diverticulosis patients who survived hospitalization, all-cause mortality rates (none from hemorrhage) were 11% at 1 year, 15% at 2 years, 18% at 3 years, and 20% at 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization with ALGIH is related to age and male gender. After hemorrhage from colonic diverticulosis, the leading cause, rates of ALGIH recurrence and unrelated death are similar during the next 4 years.