The management of perforated diverticulitis with diffuse peritonitis

In a ten-year period 53 patients presented with perforated colonic diverticular disease with diffuse peritonitis. Eight patients died--all with uncontrolled intraabdominal sepsis. Various surgical techniques were employed. None of the 12 patients having immediate resection of the affected bowel segment died. There was no mortality from subsequent operations in any form of staged treatment. Primary resection without anastomosis is supported as the treatment of choice for this condition.