Management of Diverticulitis in Renal Transplant Patients

Renal transplant patients presenting with diverticulitis remain a clinical challenge for health care professionals. Secondary to immunosuppression, renal transplant recipients are often considered for early operative intervention due to concerns for an unreliable physical exam and feared morbidity and mortality associated with non-operative management.

This study aimed to evaluate trends in management of renal transplant patients with diverticulitis at a quaternary referral center.

One hundred ninety-one renal transplant patients admitted to the hospital with diverticulitis were identified. Of this cohort, 71 (37%) underwent surgical resection, of which 20 (28%) were performed emergently. The overall 30-day operative mortality was 8% (6/71), of which there was a significant difference between emergent (25%, 5/20) and elective (2%, 1/51) groups (P = .006). Patients who underwent elective surgery were more likely to receive a minimally invasive approach (51%) and were significantly more likely to undergo stoma reversal (P = .006).

Our study shows that not all renal transplants with diverticulitis will require operative intervention and many can be safely treated non-operatively. Elective resection and surgical management should be considered on an individual basis. Patients treated with elective resection were more likely to undergo a minimally invasive approach and restoration of intestinal continuity.