Risk factors and outcomes of renal insufficiency after colectomy for diverticulitis

Diverticulitis has significantly increased in prevalence in recent decades, requiring higher rates of colon resections. While current literature focuses on postoperative complications such as abscesses, wound infections, and anastomotic leaks, many are limited in showing details regarding the significant risk associated with developing renal insufficiency among diverticulitis patients undergoing colectomy.

We selected patients from the 2022 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Colectomy database who underwent colon resection for diverticulitis using International Classification of Disease (ICD10) code K57.92. To analyze postoperative renal function, we removed all patients with preoperative renal failure. From there, a total of 6985 patients with no postoperative renal insufficiency (Control group) and 492 with postoperative renal insufficiency (Post-op. RI group) were identified.

Of individuals undergoing colectomy for diverticulitis, 6.58% experienced postoperative renal insufficiency. In all diverticulitis colectomies, comorbidities such as diabetes (21.95% versus 10.95%; p = 0.018), congestive heart failure (11.59% versus 2.95% p < 0.001), hypertension (61.79% versus 42.83%; p < 0.001), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (9.96% versus 3.66%; p < 0.001) were associated with higher risk of kidney injury. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that postoperative renal insufficiency is independently associated with increased risk of mortality (odds ratio = 3.8001; p < 0.001).

As the prevalence of diverticulitis has increased in the USA, it is paramount to recognize the risks associated with the required operation as well as the factors that affect patient outcomes and risks for developing renal insufficiency.