[Diverticular disease of the colon]

Diverticular disease of the colon is a common civilisatory phenomenon. Its clinical relevance is defined by the typical manifestations diverticulitis (incl. its complications abscess formation and fistulation), diverticular bleeding, and chronic pain. Although clear evidence criteria are missing on many aspects of the therapy, there is broad consensus on the suitable diagnostics as well as conservative and surcigal therapy. Nevertheless, there remain open questions, and due to new data, several aspects have to be put up to discussion. As long as there are no mandatory evidence-based guidelines, in-house clinical standards should be developed in interdisciplinary working groups.