Minimally invasive surgical treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis

Diverticular disease is very common in Western societies. However, there is a trend towards reducing indications for the surgical management of diverticulitis. Minimally invasive surgery offers many potential advantages to patients in the treatment of diverticulitis and may optimise surgical indications.

A systematic literature review of minimally invasive techniques was carried out for the treatment of diverticulitis. The following techniques were reviewed: laparoscopic, single-port, natural orifice specimen extraction, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery and laparoscopic lavage for the treatment of diverticulitis.

In total, 2,050 minimally invasive cases were reviewed. Of all the different minimally invasive techniques published regarding the management of diverticular disease, laparoscopic surgery is the only technique that has undergone the rigours of randomised controlled trials. The documented benefits are less blood loss, less pain and analgesic requirements, a reduction in major complications, a reduction in the frequency of drain usage, a reduction in the duration of postoperative ileus and shorter hospital stay. However, operative time does appear to be longer. It has also been demonstrated that elective laparoscopic surgery results in improved quality of life and social functioning.

Minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of diverticular disease appears feasible and safe. The result of future randomised trials will more clearly define the role each minimally invasive technique will play in the future.