Know the name: acute epiploic appendagitis-CT findings and review of literature

Epiploic appendages are normal pedunculated peritoneal fat containing outpouchings bordering tenia coli on the anti-mesenteric surface of the colon, extending from caecum to the rectosigmoid. Functions are currently unknown, though some postulate them a blood reservoir. The epiploic appendages can become inflamed, with clinical presentations mimicking that of diverticulitis or acute appendicitis. However, unlike acute diverticulitis or appendicitis, epiploic appendagitis are treated conservatively with antibiotics. Currently, the estimated rate of correct preoperative diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis is 2.5%, but due to benign nature of epiploic appendagitis, it is important to appropriately diagnose it preoperatively and thus preventing unnecessary surgical interventions. Clinical features include focal area of pain, often with normal white blood cell count, that often is common in other differential diagnoses. CT scan plays a crucial role in diagnosis and shows an oval fatty density solid lesion along anterior colonic wall surface, surrounded by a rim of fat stranding. Treatment is conservative and involves use of anti-inflammatory medication.

Evidence for Dietary Fibre Modification in the Recovery and Prevention of Reoccurrence of Acute, Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: A Systematic Literature Review

In practice, nutrition recommendations vary widely for inpatient and discharge management of acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis. This systematic review aims to review the evidence and develop recommendations for dietary fibre modifications, either alone or alongside probiotics or antibiotics, versus any comparator in adults in any setting with or recently recovered from acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis. Intervention and observational studies in any language were located using four databases until March 2017. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and GRADE were used to evaluate the overall quality of the evidence and to develop recommendations. Eight studies were included. There was "very low" quality evidence for comparing a liberalised and restricted fibre diet for inpatient management to improve hospital length of stay, recovery, gastrointestinal symptoms and reoccurrence. There was "very low" quality of evidence for using a high dietary fibre diet as opposed to a standard or low dietary fibre diet following resolution of an acute episode, to improve reoccurrence and gastrointestinal symptoms. The results of this systematic review and GRADE assessment conditionally recommend the use of liberalised diets as opposed to dietary restrictions for adults with acute, uncomplicated diverticulitis. It also strongly recommends a high dietary fibre diet aligning with dietary guidelines, with or without dietary fibre supplementation, after the acute episode has resolved.

5-aminosalicylic acid agents for prevention of recurrent diverticulitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Prevalence of colonic diverticulosis is increasing worldwide with age, and up to 25% of patients who have colonic diverticulosis might experience diverticulitis. However, a definitive approach of preventing recurrent diverticulitis remains unknown. 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) agents are anti-inflammatory agents and have been used to prevent recurrent diverticulitis, and there have been some randomized clinical trials (RCTs). However, the efficacy results for secondary prevention in uncomplicated diverticulitis differed across studies. Our aim was to clarify the efficacy and safety of 5-ASA agents in the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library with no language restrictions. Two reviewers independently assessed and selected RCTs. The data were pooled using a random effect model and were presented in the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Cochrane's Q and I-squared statistics were used to assess heterogeneity. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO.

RESULTS

Seven articles with eight RCTs from 329 potentially relevant articles were included. 5-ASA agents were not superior to controls in preventing recurrent diverticulitis (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.17, I²  = 60%) and the incidence of adverse events was not different between 5-ASA agents and controls (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.11, I²  = 45%). However, some included studies were few in number of participants and substantial risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

5-aminosalicylic acid agents were not associated with prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.

Increasing trend in admission rates and costs for acute diverticulitis during 2005-2015: real-life data from the Abruzzo Region

BACKGROUND

Scarce data are available on the epidemiological trend of diverticulitis and its financial burden in Italy. The aim of this work was to explore a potential variation in the rate and costs of hospital admissions for uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis over the last decade.

METHODS

We selected all hospitalizations for diverticulitis of residents in the Abruzzo Region, Italy between 2005 and 2015. Age-standardized hospitalization rates (HRs) per 100,000 inhabitants for overall, uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis were calculated. A linear model on the log of the age-standardized rates was used to calculate annual percentage changes (APC). Costs were derived from the official DRG tariff.

RESULTS

From 2005 to 2015, the HR for acute diverticulitis increased from 38.9 to 45.2 per 100,000 inhabitants (APC + 1.9%). The HR for complicated diverticulitis increased from 5.9 to 13.3 (APC + 7.6%), whereas it remained stable for uncomplicated diverticulitis. The mean hospital cost was 1.8-times higher for complicated diverticulitis compared with that for uncomplicated disease and 3.5-times higher for patients with a surgery stay compared with that for patients with a medical stay.

CONCLUSION

During the last decade, in the Abruzzo Region, the HRs for diverticulitis and their costs increased significantly, mainly due to disease complications. Further studies are needed to explore strategies to prevent complications and to realise cost-saving policies.

Liver Abscess and Portal Vein Thrombosis Due to Ileal Diverticulitis Mediated by Barium Fluoroscopy

We report a case of liver abscess and portal vein thrombosis, which occurred due to diverticulitis at the terminal ileum in a 59-year-old man. The patient underwent a barium fluoroscopic examination 1 month before presenting to our hospital. He also showed liver dysfunction due to thrombosis at the superior mesenteric and portal veins. His inflammation gradually subsided after the initiation of treatment, but the recovery was not sufficient. Thus, surgery was performed. The patient condition improved after surgery and he was discharged. Barium examinations are relatively safe, but can sometimes cause severe adverse effects in patients with certain risk factors, and an appropriate diagnosis and treatment are necessary when symptoms appear.

The influence of rifaximin on diverticulitis rate and quality of life in patients with diverticulosis

Diverticulosis, its associated symptoms and complications are one of the most common pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract in more economically developed countries. Presence of diverticuli and their clinical consequences can be divided into four categories: 1) diverticulosis, i.e. an asymptomatic presence of diverticuli that are usually found by accident 2) symptomatic uncomplicated diverticulosis 3) diverticulitis (acute uncomplicated diverticulitis) 4) complications of diverticulitis (conditions requiring hospital stay). The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of rifaximin in preventing diverticulitis in patients visiting proctology clinics. The diagnostic criterium for diverticulosis was confirmation by colonoscopy, barium enema or CT colography (virtual colonoscopy) as well as history of at least one documented episode of diverticulosis. History of diverticulosis was evaluated based on medical records, clinical symptoms, elevated level of CRP (>5.0) and/or diagnostic imaging (ultrasound, CT). After setting strict exclusion criteria, 248 patients were qualified for the study out of 686, and they were later divided into two groups: control group (group I - 145 patients) and studied group (group II - 103 patients receiving rifaximin prophylaxis). Diverticulitis rate was comparable in both groups over a period of 6 months before study (p = 0.1306) and 6 months of treatment (p=0.3044). Between the 6th and 12th month of treatment, a significantly lower rate of diverticulitis was noted in the group receiving rifaximin compared to control group (p<0.0001). Patients receiving rifaximin reported higher quality of life (which was assessed using the VAS scale) compared to control group after 12 months. The results confirmed the efficacy of riaximin in prevention of diverticulitis, even in the scheme of repeated courses every 3 months. Not only did application of rifaximin lower the rate of diverticulitis and its complications in patients after an episode of diverticulitis, but also it improved the patients' quality of life. It seems that diverticulitis prophylaxis based on rifaximin can be economically efficient, however, it requires further research.

RNA-seq implicates deregulation of the immune system in the pathogenesis of diverticulitis

Individuals with diverticula or outpouchings of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through the colonic wall have diverticulosis, which is usually asymptomatic. In 10-25% of individuals, the diverticula become inflamed, resulting in diverticulitis. Very little is known about the pathophysiology or gene regulatory pathways involved in the development of diverticulitis. To identify these pathways, we deep sequenced RNAs isolated from full-thickness sections of sigmoid colon from diverticulitis patients and control individuals. Specifically for diverticulitis cases, we analyzed tissue adjacent to areas affected by chronic disease. Since the tissue was collected during elective sigmoid resection, the disease was in a quiescent state. A comparison of differentially expressed genes found that gene ontology (GO) pathways associated with the immune response were upregulated in diverticulitis patients compared with nondiverticulosis controls. Next, weighted gene coexpression network analysis was performed to identify the interaction among coexpressed genes. This analysis revealed RASAL3, SASH3, PTPRC, and INPP5D as hub genes within the brown module eigengene, which highly correlated (r = 0.67, P = 0.0004) with diverticulitis. Additionally, we identified elevated expression of downstream interacting genes. In summary, transcripts associated with the immune response were upregulated in adjacent tissue from the sigmoid colons of chronic, recurrent diverticulitis patients. Further elucidating the genetic or epigenetic mechanisms associated with these alterations can help identify those at risk for chronic disease and may assist in clinical decision management.NEW & NOTEWORTHY By using an unbiased approach to analyze transcripts expressed in unaffected colonic tissues adjacent to those affected by chronic diverticulitis, our study implicates that a defect in the immune response may be involved in the development of the disease. This finding expands on the current data that suggest the pathophysiology of diverticulitis is mediated by dietary, age, and obesity-related factors. Further characterizing the immunologic differences in diverticulitis may better inform clinical decision-making.

Reminiscing on Remnants: Imaging of Meckel Diverticulum and Its Complications in Adults

OBJECTIVE

Meckel diverticulum may become symptomatic if it is complicated by hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, diverticulitis, or tumor. Although classically described in children, it is often missed in adults because of lack of suspicion and difficulty in detection. The purpose of this article is to review the imaging findings and management of Meckel diverticulum and its complications.

CONCLUSION

Although it is infrequently encountered incidentally, Meckel diverticulum should be considered especially when interpreting examinations for abdominal pain, small-bowel obstruction, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Case Selection for Laparoscopic Reversal of Hartmann's Procedure

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's procedure offers reduced morbidity compared with open surgery while improving reversal rates. However, it is one of the most technically challenging operations in minimally invasive colorectal surgery, with further < 20% of the reversal procedures being attempted laparoscopically. Complications related to late conversion to open surgery may suggest a selective use of the laparoscopic approach for Hartmann's reversal in a subgroup of patients: The aim of this study is to systematically investigate the literature to identify the ideal case for a laparoscopic approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were extracted from a systematic review of the literature of Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials. Subgroup analysis to identify suitable patients for laparoscopic surgery included age at surgery, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, indication for the index Hartmann's procedure (HP), interval time to reversal from the index HP, conversion to open surgery, and temporary ileostomy rate.

RESULTS

A total of 862 patients were included, with 403 cases performed laparoscopically. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 65 patients (mean 16.1%). The indication for the HP showed a trend toward more benign patients included in the laparoscopic group, and the interval time between the index Hartmann's procedure and its reversal was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group with a trend toward a higher rate of temporary ileostomy in patients undergoing an open procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients' selection can explain these differences, with more complex disease operated via an open approach. Nevertheless, future studies are needed to demonstrate an increasing number of reversals attempted laparoscopically in high-volume centers.

Management of Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis May Exclude Antibiotic Therapy

Diverticulitis is a common ailment that is prevalent in the developed world. As such, the management of diverticulitis places a substantial economic burden on healthcare. Research is ongoing to further elucidate both the pathogenesis of the disease, as well as ways to reduce associated expenditures. One of these emerging areas of research calls into question the use of antibiotics during treatment of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. Current guidelines are largely based on expert opinion, with little evidence supporting the standard practice of antibiotic therapy. In this literature review, we have compiled and analyzed the latest collection of evidence in managing acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. There have been two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed that assessed the possibility of treating acute uncomplicated diverticulitis without antibiotics. Both the Antibiotika Vid Okomplicerad Divertikulit (AVOD) study and Daniels, et al. have found that an observational approach to acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is not inferior to antibiotic treatment and does not result in increased complication or recurrence rates. We also reviewed a single-center cohort study, a prospective observational study, and two retrospective case-controlled studies comparing observational management versus antibiotic treatment in patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. We found the results were comparable; there was no difference in complication rates or recurrence in any study. The consensus among the studies reviewed challenges the current practice guidelines issued by the American Gastroenterological Association. However, given the geographical difference in diverticular disease and inherent bias found in these studies, we cannot recommend a modification of the guidelines. Based on this literature review, we feel compelled to suggest, and strongly recommend, further research be conducted in the United States in order to bolster the already significant evidence against antibiotic therapy in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Are there differences in outcome after elective sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease and for cancer? A national inpatient study

AIM

The postoperative outcome after elective sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis has not been compared to that for cancer. The study aimed to evaluate the differences in the postoperative outcome after sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease and cancer.

METHOD

The National Inpatient Sample Database was used to identify patients who underwent elective sigmoid resection for diverticular disease or cancer between 2004 and 2011. After excluding patients with metastatic cancer and preoperative weight loss, sigmoid cancer and diverticulitis patients were matched using propensity score, controlling for age, gender, race, type of operation (open vs laparoscopic) and comorbidities. The end-points of interest were infective complications, reoperation, anastomotic leakage, rebleeding, length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching (diverticulitis 11 192 patients, sigmoid cancer 11 192 patients), the mean age was 65 ± 12.5 years, 53.8% were male and 61.5% were Caucasian. Only 18.0% of the operations were done by laparoscopy. The overall complication rate was 17.7% and the in-hospital mortality rate was 0.9%. The diverticulitis group had a higher rate of surgical site infection (3.2% vs 2.6%, P = 0.004), intra-abdominal abscess formation (1.2% vs 0.4%, P < 0.0001) and reoperation (6.1% vs 4.1%, P < 0.0001) compared with the cancer group. The cancer group had a higher incidence of pneumonia (1.9% vs 1.5%, P = 0.01) and anastomotic leakage (9.2% vs 8.3%, P = 0.001). There was no difference in sepsis, deep vein thrombosis, respiratory failure, renal failure, rebleeding, overall complication rate or length of hospital stay. Subgroup analysis showed a higher in-hospital mortality for cancer than for diverticulitis patients whether resected by open or by laparoscopic surgery.

CONCLUSION

Although elective sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease has a higher risk of infective complications, elective sigmoidectomy for cancer has a higher risk of anastomotic leakage.

Multiple liver abscesses and bacteremia caused by Streptococcus constellatus infection: a case report

The Streptococcus milleri group (SMG) comprises commensal mucosal bacteria. Pyogenic liver abscesses due to hematogenous SMG infection are rare but can be observed even in healthy patients. In such cases, physicians should consider the existence of primary lesions that allow penetration of the SMG.

Abdominal pain - learning when not to intervene!

Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain. It is a benign condition but may mimic other serious causes of acute abdomen such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, and gynecological emergency in severe cases. Knowledge of this condition in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain can save unnecessary hospital admission, antibiotics, and surgery. In this article, we present the case of a 43-year-old female who presented to our hospital with a 2-day history of right lower quadrant abdominal pain and diarrhea. She was diagnosed with EA with computed tomography of abdomen with contrast and was managed conservatively with good outcome.

Mortality and complications following surgery for diverticulitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The surgical treatment of diverticulitis is in a state of evolution. Clinicians across many disciplines need to counsel patients regarding surgical choices.

OBJECTIVES

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the mortality and complication rates following surgery for diverticulitis in both the emergent and elective setting.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for relevant articles published from 1980 to 2012. The primary outcome of interest was the point estimate of mortality, following surgery for diverticulitis.

RESULTS

Of the 289 citations reviewed, we included 59 studies. Overall, the point estimate for mortality was 3.05%, with a 95% confidence intereval (CI) of 1.73-5.32 and p < 0.001. Mortality following emergent surgery was 10.64% (95% CI 7.95-14.11; p < 0.001), versus 0.50% (95% CI 0.46-0.54; p < 0.001) following elective operations. A laparoscopic approach had an estimated mortality of 0.75% (95% CI 0.35-1.58; p < 0.001), compared to an open surgical approach, which had a mortality of 4.69% (95% CI 2.29-9.36, p < 0.001). The mortality following a resection with primary anastomosis was 1.96% (95% CI 1.22-3.13; p < 0.001) and for the Hartmann's procedure was 14.18% (95% CI 9.83-20.03; p < 0.001). A comparative analysis found that the risk of post-operative mortality was significantly higher following emergent surgery, compared to elective surgery (odds ratio (OR): 6.12 with 95% CI 1.62-23.10; p = 0.008; Q = 2.56, p = 0.46 and I2 = 0); the open approach, compared to a laparoscopic approach (OR: 36.43 with 95% CI 9.94-133.6; p = 0.13; and Q = 2.79, p = 0.25 and I2 = 28.26); and for Hartmann's procedure, compared to primary anastomosis without diversion (OR: 25.45 with 95% CI 15.13-42.81, p < 0.001; and Q = 23.34, p = 0.14 and I2 = 27.16). The overall reported post-operative complication rate was 32.64% (95% CI 27.43-38.32; p < 0.00). The overall surgical and medical complication rates were 18.96% and 13.93%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Urgent surgical treatment of diverticulitis has a significant complication rate. Even elective surgery has a significant complication rate that needs to be considered when doing the clinical decision-making for recurrent diverticulitis.

Meckel's diverticulum in children: Our 12-year experience

BACKGROUND

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the one of the most common congenital malformation of gastrointestinal tract and has varied clinical presentations. We are presenting here our 12-year experiences with MD in children at tertiary care hospital in North India. It highlights the fact that isolated gangrene of MD can occur, and it is associated with increased morbidity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study is conducted by analysing the medical records of the patients who were operated for MD in the last 12 years in paediatric surgery department at our hospital.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients were operated for MD in study period; in this 52 were males and 13 were females with mean age of presentation 3.2 years. The most common presentation was intestinal obstruction seen in 86.1% (56 cases). Intestinal haemorrhage was seen in 4.6% (3 cases) and diverticulitis in 3% (2 cases). Perforation of the gut with peritonitis was present in 6.1% (four cases). Cause of obstruction was intussusception in 21.4% (12 cases), fibrous band connected to umbilicus in 17.8% (10 cases), volvulus in 17.8% (10 cases), kinking in 16.0% (9 cases), knotting in 14.2% (8 cases) and herniation of gut below in 12.5% (7 cases). Isolated gangrene of MD was present in ten cases with intestinal obstruction. The ectopic gastric mucosa was seen in three and pancreatic mucosa in two cases. Mortality and morbidity during the study were one and three cases, respectively.

CONCLUSION

MD may remain clinically silent for lifetime, or it may have life-threatening complications. In our series, intestinal obstruction and not the haemorrhage was the most common presentation. Isolated gangrene of MD with obstruction was present in significant numbers, which we failed to find in literature.

Patients with end-stage renal disease were at an increased risk of hospitalization for acute diverticulitis

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) show a high incidence of bacterial translocation and impaired gastrointestinal motility. The intestinal tract is believed to be the most crucial source of translocated bacteria. To evaluate the risk of colonic diverticulitis in patients with ESRD, we conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study. Patients who met the following 3 criteria were defined as patients with ESRD: patients diagnosed with ESRD who received regular hemodialysis between 2000 and 2005, patients who received hemodialysis for more than 90% of the time during the observation period (2000-2011), and patients with no prior history of hemodialysis between 1997 and 1999. We matched every patient with ESRD with 1 matched control on the basis of propensity scores. The first diagnosis of diverticulitis (ICD-9-CM codes 562.11 and 562.13) within the follow-up period was defined as the primary endpoint. Hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the patients in the control group as the reference. We included 32,547 and 32,547 patients in the ESRD and matched control cohorts, respectively. The 12-year cumulative incidence of acute colonic diverticulitis for patients with ESRD was significantly higher than that for the controls (P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, and medication use, the HR of acute colonic diverticulitis in the ESRD cohort was 11.20 times greater than that in the control cohort (95% CI: 8.14-15.42). The results indicated that patients with ESRD are at an increased risk for acute colonic diverticulitis.

Epidemiologic Analysis of Diverticulitis

The aim of this article is to evaluate geographic variation in the incidence of diverticulitis and examine behavioral and environmental factors associated with high rates of diverticulitis across the United States. We used state hospital discharge data from 20 states to determine rates of inpatient diverticulitis from January 2002 to December 2004 at patient's county of residence. Next, we merged the county level data with behavioral and environmental survey data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Finally, we determined the association between behavioral and environmental factors (i.e., teeth removal, dental cleaning, air quality, smoking, alcohol, vaccine, vitamins, and mental health) and high rates of diverticulitis. From January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2004, a total of 345,216 hospitalizations for acute diverticulitis were recorded for 1,055 counties. We identified rates of diverticulitis that ranged from 35.4 to 332.7 per 100,000 population. On univariate analysis, high diverticulitis burden was associated with regions of the country with substantial tooth loss from dental disease (45.8% for high diverticulitis counties vs. 37.5% for low diverticulitis counties; p = 0.0001). There is considerable variability in diverticulitis cases by county of residence across the nation. Potential triggers of diverticulitis may be associated with tooth removal and sun exposure.

Seasonal Variation in Diverticulitis: Evidence From Both Hemispheres

BACKGROUND

Diverticulitis is a common and morbid disease with incompletely understood risk factors and pathophysiology. Geographic and, recently, seasonal trends in diverticulitis have been described in the United States.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare seasonal trends in urgent hospital admission for diverticulitis in geographically distinct populations in the northern and southern hemispheres.

DESIGN

Inpatient, urgent admissions for diverticulitis were identified within the Dr Foster Intelligence Global Comparators Dataset, a global benchmarking collaborative.

SETTINGS

Admissions to participating hospitals in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States were identified between 2008 and 2013.

PATIENTS

A total of 18,672 urgent admissions for diverticulitis were identified among 5.5-million admissions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Four separate hypothesis testing methods were used to identify seasonal trends in diverticulitis admissions among international patient populations.

RESULTS

Seasonal trends were present in all 3 countries. A summer peak was observed in both hemispheres using multiple statistical testing methods. Logistic regression analyses identified summer months as significantly associated with diverticulitis admission in all 3 countries.

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by restriction to inpatient admissions, reliance on administrative data, and participation of select hospitals within the database.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest a shared seasonal risk factor among geographically distinct populations for diverticulitis.

A population-based case-control study on statin exposure and risk of acute diverticular disease

OBJECTIVE

A reduced risk of perforated diverticular disease among individuals with current statin exposure has been reported. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether statins reduce the risk of acute diverticular disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A nation-wide population-based case-control study was performed, including 13,127 cases hospitalised during 2006-2010 with a first-time diagnosis of colonic diverticular disease, and 128,442 control subjects (matched for sex, age, county of residence and calendar year). Emergency surgery, assumed to be a proxy for complicated diverticulitis, was performed on 906 of the cases during the index admission, with 8818 matched controls. Statin exposure was classified as "current" or "former" if a statin prescription was last dispensed ≤ 125 days or >125 days before index date, respectively. The association between statin exposure and acute diverticular disease was investigated by conditional logistic regression, including models adjusting for country of birth, educational level, marital status, comorbidities, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug/steroid exposure and healthcare utilisation.

RESULTS

A total of 1959 cases (14.9%) and 16,456 controls (12.8%) were current statin users (crude OR 1.23 [95% CI 1.17-1.30]; fully adjusted OR 1.00 [0.94-1.06]). One hundred and thirty-two of the cases subjected to surgery (14.6%), and 1441 of the corresponding controls (16.3%) were current statin users (crude OR 0.89 [95% CI 0.73-1.08]; fully adjusted OR 0.70 [0.55-0.89]).

CONCLUSIONS

The results do not indicate that statins affect the development of symptomatic diverticular disease in general. However, current statin use was associated with a reduced risk of emergency surgery for diverticular disease.

Urachal-sigmoid fistula managed by laparoscopic assisted high anterior resection, primary anastomosis and en bloc resection of the urachal cyst and involved bladder

Sigmoid-urachal fistula is exceedingly rare in adults and only a few cases have been reported in the world literature. We present the case of a 54-year-old man with symptomatic sigmoid-urachal fistula managed successfully with a laparoscopic assisted high anterior resection, primary anastomosis and an en bloc resection of the urachal cyst and the involved cuff of bladder.

Diverticulitis: does age matter?

OBJECTIVE

Acute diverticulitis has been traditionally associated with worse outcome in young patients, indicating a more aggressive surgical approach is required for them. The aim of this study was to assess whether acute diverticulitis was more virulent in young patients.

METHODS

A retrospective, cross-sectional study included all patients who were admitted for a first episode of acute diverticulitis between January 2004 and December 2013. The patients were divided into two groups (≤50 years and >50 years) based on their age. Patients' characteristics, clinical and surgical data were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 636 patients were included in the database, including 177 (27.8%) in the younger group and 459 in the elder group. There were no significant differences between the groups in disease complexity, peritonitis, laboratory work-up, vital signs on presentation, bowel obstruction or the presence of fistula and abscess in need of drainage. Younger patients had more free extra-luminal air on computed tomography (CT) scan (P = 0.03). Surgical data, including the intra-operative modified Hinchey score and the need for emergency and additional surgery did not significantly differ between the two groups. Young patients had more readmissions (P = 0.01) due to acute diverticulitis, diverticular complications and elective surgery. Length of hospital stay (P = 0.0001) was longer and postoperative complications were more common in the elder patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical presentation of acute diverticulitis does not seem to be worse in the young population. Younger patients tend to have a more severe presentation on CT scan and more readmissions, but this did not translate to a more severe disease course.

Hinchey I and II diverticular abscesses: long-term outcome of conservative treatment

BACKGROUND

The management of diverticular disease and its complications are an increasing burden to the health system. The natural history of conservatively managed diverticular abscesses (Hinchey I and II) is poorly described and it remains open to debate whether subsequent sigmoid resection is indicated after conservative management. This observational study compares outcomes of patients treated with conservative management (antibiotics +/- percutaneous drainage) and surgery.

METHODS

All patients admitted at Christchurch Hospital with diverticulitis between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2009 were recorded in a database. A retrospective analysis of patients with an abscess due to complicated diverticulitis was undertaken. Initial management, recurrence and subsequent surgery were recorded. The patients were followed until 1 January 2014.

RESULTS

Of 1044 patients with diverticulitis, 107 with diverticular abscess were included in this analysis. The median age was 66 ± 16 and 60 were male. All patients had sigmoid diverticulitis and were diagnosed with a computed tomography. The median abscess size was 4.2 ± 2.1 cm. During median follow-up of 110 months, the overall recurrence rate was 20% (21/107). Recurrence varied according to initial treatment; namely antibiotics (30%), percutaneous drainage plus antibiotics (27%) and surgery (5%) (P = 0.004). The median time to recurrence was 4 ± 11.7 months, and most recurrences were treated conservatively; four patients underwent delayed surgery.

CONCLUSION

Recurrence after diverticular abscess is higher after initial conservative treatment (antibiotics +/- percutaneous drainage) compared with surgery, however, patients with recurrent disease can be treated conservatively with similar good outcomes and few patients required further surgery.

Recurrences and Ongoing Complaints of Diverticulitis; Results of a Survey among Gastroenterologists and Surgeons

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the current opinion of gastroenterologists and surgeons on treatment strategies for patients, with recurrences or ongoing complaints of diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND

Treatment of recurrences and ongoing complaints remains a point of debate. No randomized trials have been published yet and guidelines are not uniform in their advice.

DESIGN

A web-based survey was conducted among gastroenterologists and GE-surgeons. Questions were aimed at the treatment options for recurrent diverticulitis and ongoing complaints.

RESULTS

In total, 123 surveys were filled out. The number of patients with recurrent or ongoing diverticulitis who were seen at the outpatient clinic each year was 7 (0-30) and 5 (0-115) respectively. Surgeons see significantly more patients on an annual basis 20 vs. 15% (p = 0.00). Both surgeons and gastroenterologists preferred to treat patients in a conservative manner using pain medication and lifestyle advise (64.4 vs. 54.0, p = 0.27); however, gastroenterologists would treat patients with mesalazine medication, which is significantly more (28%, p = 0.04) than in the surgical group. Surgeons are inclined more towards surgery (31.5%, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Both surgeons and gastroenterologists prefer to treat recurrent diverticulitis and ongoing complaints in a conservative manner. Quality of life, the risk of complications and the viewpoint of the patient are considered important factors in the decision to resect the affected colon.

Intraoperative diagnosis of cecal diverticulitis during surgery for acute appendicitis: Case series

OBJECTIVE

Cecal diverticulum is a rare entity, and can cause acute abdomen by the way of diverticulitis and perforation of diverticulitis. In this study, we aimed to perform an analysis of patients that have cecal diverticulitis, and presented with acute abdomen.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients who were admitted to emergency clinic between 2009-2012 and had acute abdomen due to cecal diverticulitis were included into study retrospectively.

RESULTS

Six patients were included in the study with a mean age of 34 years (range 24-43). Four patients were male and two were female (male/female: 2). All six patients presented with abdominal pain, additional symptoms were nausea in five patients, and vomiting in one patient. The mean white blood cell count was 11.900/mm(3) (5850-17.400/mm(3)), while the remaining laboratory results were normal. There were no specific findings on abdominal X-ray or ultrasonography. The surgical exploration revealed an inflamed cecal diverticulitis and normal appendix in all patients. Five patients underwent appendectomy and diverticulectomy. Right hemicolectomy was performed in one patient due to suspicion of malignancy. The early postoperative period was uneventful in all patients. The mean length of hospital stay was 4.5 days with a range of 2-6 days. Histopathological examination showed acute perforated diverticulitis with underlying true diverticulum in three patients, and true diverticulum with acute diverticulitis in the remaining three patients.

CONCLUSION

Pre-operative diagnosis of cecal diverticulitis is challenging due to symptoms and signs that resemble acute appendicitis. Diverticulectomy and incidental appendectomy is the treatment of choice in uncomplicated cases.

Treatment Modalities and Antimicrobial Stewardship Initiatives in the Management of Intra-Abdominal Infections

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) focus on improving the utilization of broad spectrum antibiotics to decrease the incidence of multidrug-resistant Gram positive and Gram negative pathogens. Hospital admission for both medical and surgical intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) commonly results in the empiric use of broad spectrum antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, beta-lactam beta-lactamase inhibitors, and carbapenems that can select for resistant organisms. This review will discuss the management of uncomplicated and complicated IAIs as well as highlight stewardship initiatives focusing on the proper use of broad spectrum antibiotics.