One hundred consecutive operations for diverticulitis of the colon

This report describes 100 consecutive patients treated surgically for diverticulitis of the colon. The main indications for operation were recurrent attacks (33), rapid progressive symptoms (17), bleeding (16), palpable mass (14), or combinations of the above. Eighty-four patients had primary resection (two deaths), ten had staged procedure (two deaths), and six had Hartmann procedures (one death). The mortality was highest in staged procedures as this group of patients included those with complications resulting in the greatest operative risks. No deaths occurred in the elective cases. In 25 cases, various complications developed. The most common was wound infection and sepsis. The five deaths in the series are reported in detail with an evaluation of possible alternative methods of treatment. Follow-up of the series showed only one recurrence in the two years after operation.