[Internal aspects of diverticulosis (author's transl)]

Diverticular disease of the colon is, apart from the irritable colon syndrome, by now probably the commonest disorder of the large intestine. The incidence of the disease seems to be increasing, which might be due to fundamental dietary changes during the last 60-80 years. It has been suggested that the condition may be a dietary deficiency disorder caused by an inadequate intake of fiber in the diet. Undiagnosed diverticulosis can suddenly progress to painful diverticular disease or diverticulitis with no warning. Complications are sometimes life-threatening, and they demand immediately surgical intervention. The optimal medical and surgical management of diverticular disease and diverticulitis is not well defined as no controlled clinical trials are available.