Laparoscopic treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis: a retrospective review of 103 cases

Laparoscopic treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis is commonly accepted in Hinchey cases I and II, whereas it is debated in the case of purulent peritonitis, and not indicated for fecal peritonitis.

A single-center experience of 103 patients treated for Hinchey I-III sigmoid diverticulitis was reviewed. One-stage laparoscopic resection and primary anastomosis constituted the planned procedure. Abscesses in patients with Hinchey IIa were drained percutaneously before surgery. Patients with Hinchey III underwent surgery in emergency. A four-trocar approach with left iliac fossa minilaparotomy was used. Fistulas were treated laparoscopically with Harmonic Scalpel dissection.

Laparoscopic treatment was successfully completed for 100 patients. Intraoperative complications occurred in 2.9% of the cases. Postoperative procedure-related morbidity was 8%, occurring mainly in Hinchey I patients. A longer hospital stay was recorded among Hinchey IIb patients treated for colovescical fistula. No mortality was observed.

Laparoscopic surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis in experienced hands can be a safe and effective gold standard procedure also for patients with fistula or purulent peritonitis.