Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
08:20
Murine Distal Colostomy, A Novel Model of Diversion Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: July 12, 2018
Recurrent left colonic diverticulitis episodes: more severe than the initial diverticulitis?
Olivier Pittet1, Nikos Kotzampassakis, Sabine Schmidt
1Department of Visceral Surgery, University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, CH-1011, Switzerland.
World Journal of Surgery
|January 17, 2009
Summary
Recurrent diverticulitis episodes show similar short-term outcomes and conservative treatment failure rates compared to initial episodes. Surgery was less frequent in recurrent cases, challenging previous beliefs about diverticulitis complications.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Outcomes
- Medical Therapy
Background:
- Previous understanding suggested higher complication and medical therapy failure rates in recurrent diverticulitis.
- Recent data and re-interpretations challenge this established opinion.
- This study investigates short-term outcomes of recurrent versus initial diverticulitis episodes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the short-term outcomes of recurrent diverticulitis with initial episodes.
- To determine if recurrent diverticulitis leads to different outcomes after medical or surgical treatment.
- To analyze clinical and radiological parameters influencing treatment success.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 271 patients with CT-confirmed diverticulitis (2001-2004).
- Comparison of 202 patients with initial episodes (Group I) and 69 with recurrent diverticulitis (Group R).
- Analysis of clinical, radiological parameters, treatment response, complications, and CT features using statistical tests.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in clinical or radiological parameters between initial and recurrent groups.
- Surgery at admission was less frequent in recurrent cases (5.8%) compared to initial (15.8%, p=0.04).
- Conservative treatment failure rates were similar (10.7% vs. 10.0%), with 30-day mortality of 3% in Group I and 0% in Group R.
Conclusions:
- Recurrent diverticulitis episodes do not result in increased complications or conservative treatment failure.
- Surgery was less frequently required at admission for patients experiencing recurrent diverticulitis.
- Findings challenge the notion that recurrent diverticulitis portends a worse short-term prognosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diverticular Disease of the Colon
Diverticular disease involves the formation of diverticula—small sac-like outpouchings of the colonic wall—and their complications. It most commonly affects the sigmoid colon due to higher intraluminal pressure and structural vulnerability. It results from structural weakness and increased pressure in the colon, producing pseudodiverticula that may remain silent or progress to inflammation and serious complications.Structure of DiverticulaIn diverticulosis, these outpouchings are...
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...