Surgical management of perforated colonic diverticulitis

Between 1960 and 1983, 116 patients had surgical treatment for acutely perforated colonic diverticulitis. Sixty-five patients had immediate or primary resection and 51 had delayed or staged resection. The two groups were comparable as to age, sex, and associated diseases. The mortality rate (12% v 20%), duration of hospital stay (36 days v 52 days), and duration of disability (81 days v 148 days) were all lower for the primary resection than the staged resection group. We believe that, whenever possible, the perforated segment of colonic diverticulitis should be resected primarily.