Cecal diverticulitis: changing trends in management

Diagnosis of cecal diverticulitis remains a dilemma. Preoperatively it can mimic appendicitis, and intraoperatively the surgeon is confronted with an inflammatory mass that may masquerade as a neoplasm. We reviewed 18 cases of pathologically documented cecal diverticulitis and one case of solitary diverticulitis of the ascending colon. Ileocolonic resection was done in 16 patients, and three patients had local resection. Patients having local resection had greater morbidity and a significantly longer hospital stay. There were no deaths. We have found ileocolonic resection to be safe and effective, and we recommend it as the procedure of choice for cecal diverticulitis.