[Diverticular disease; investigation on therapeutical tactics (author's transl)]

In the state of beginning complications if diverticular disease a resection of the inflammed section is indicated. This procedure prevents progression to life threatening complications. However, 5 to 30% of these patients treated in this way will have residual complaints. Our own morphological and functional in vitro investigations reveal an explanation for these findings. Furthermore, they show that the longitudinal musculature (taenias) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of the diverticular disease. The results obtained lead to the following conclusion: to make resection more complete, i.e. to prevent residual complaints and avoid relapses the longitudinal musculature should be incised transversely. Indications for taenia-myotomy are pointed out and its value is underlined by a prospective study including clinical data and functional in vivo investigations.