Laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis: a prospective study.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Colorectal Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Surgical management of complicated colonic diverticular disease remains a topic of debate.
• Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy is increasingly considered for various presentations of diverticulitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy in patients with complicated diverticulitis.
• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of this minimally invasive approach.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of 260 patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy over 12 years.
• Data collected included patient demographics, operative details, pain, bowel function, hospital stay, and complications.
• A 4-trocar approach with suprapubic minilaparotomy was utilized.

Main Results:

• Mean operative time was 130±54 minutes, with an average hospital stay of 10±3 days.
• Conversion to open surgery occurred in 5.7% of cases, primarily due to inflammation or abscess.
• Complication rate was 11.5%, with low rates of hemorrhage (0.76%) and anastomotic leak (1.92%), and a mortality of 0.76%.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy is a safe, feasible, and effective surgical option for diverticular disease.
• It has become the standard surgical approach for recurrent and complicated diverticulitis at the institution.