[Results of sigma resection in acute complicated diverticulitis : method and time of surgical intervention]

Early elective versus elective sigmoid resection in diverticular disease: not only timing matters-a single institutional retrospective review of 133 patients

Purpose

The optimal timing of elective surgery in patients with the colonic diverticular disease remains controversial. We aimed to analyze the timing of sigmoidectomy in patients with diverticular disease and its influence on postoperative course with respect to the classification of diverticular disease (CDD).

Methods

Patients who underwent elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy were retrospectively enrolled and subdivided into two groups based on the time interval between the last attack and surgery: group A, early elective (≤ 6 weeks), and group B, elective (> 6 weeks). Multivariate regression models were used to identify factors which predict conversion to laparotomy, postoperative course, and length of hospital stay.

Results

A total of 133 patients (group A (n = 88), group B (n = 45)) were included. Basic demographic data did not differ between groups except for a higher rate of diabetes in group B (p = 0.009). The conversion rate was significantly higher in group A in comparison to group B (group A vs. group B: n = 23 (26.1%) vs. n = 3 (6.7%), p = 0.007). Logistic regression analysis revealed the timing of surgery and CDD stage as significant predictors for intraoperative conversion. Moreover, the postoperative course was influenced by high age as well as intraoperative conversion and length of hospital stay by conversion, preoperative CRP levels, and elective surgery.

Conclusions

Both, timing of surgery and the disease stage, influence the conversion rates in laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease. Accordingly, patients with complicated acute or chronic sigmoid diverticulitis should be operated in the inflammation-free interval.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00423-022-02464-1.

Experience and dissection device are more relevant than patient-related factors for operation time in laparoscopic sigmoid resection-a retrospective 8-year observational study

PURPOSE

Surgical outcome is influenced by multiple patient-specific factors and operative expertise of the surgeon. Clinical relevance of medical technical innovations often remains unclear even though laparoscopic surgical procedures are characterized by continual advancement of various devices. Lately, in dissection and sealing technology, fast-cutting ultrasonic scissors are combined with simultaneous bipolar coagulation (bimodal dissection device (BDD)). We investigated how this new technology, operative expertise, and patient-specific factors (body mass index, age) influence operation time in laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid resection.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2016, 161 laparoscopic sigmoid resections (52% conventional dissection device (CDD); 48% BDD) performed in a single center were retrospectively evaluated. Biometric patient data, complication rates, and surgery duration, reflecting the learning curve, were analyzed. Operations were performed by experienced surgeons (n = 3) and trainees (n = 4).

RESULTS

Minor postoperative complications (e.g., impaired wound healing, non-revisional secondary bleeding) occurred in 11 cases (6.8%). Major complications (e.g., bleeding requiring revision, anastomotic leakage) were observed in 3.7%. No heat-related coagulation damage was observed. BDD reduced operation time for both experienced (CDD 150 min, BDD 125 min; p < 0.001) and trainee surgeons (CDD 169 min, BDD 135 min; p = 0.036). Reduction of operation time (indicative of a learning curve in progress) was observed for all surgeons. The curve was steeper using BDD.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-specific factors did not have a significant effect on operation time. Even taking the learning curve into account, a combination of ultrasonic dissection and simultaneous bipolar coagulation reduces operation time of laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid resection, regardless of surgeon's expertise.

Surgical treatment of acute recurrent diverticulitis: early elective or late elective surgery. An analysis of 237 patients

BACKGROUND

The optimal timing of elective surgery in diverticulitis remains unclear. We attempted to investigate early elective versus late elective laparoscopic surgery in acute recurrent diverticulitis in a retrospective study.

METHOD

Data of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery for diverticulitis were retrospectively gathered, including Hinchey stages I-II a/b. the primary endpoint was in-hospital complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Secondary endpoints were surgical complications, operative time, conversion rate, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Of 237 patients, 81 (34%) underwent early elective operation (group A) and 156 (66%) underwent late elective operation (group B). In-hospital complications developed in 32% in group A and in 34% in group B (risk difference 2%, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): -11%, 14%). Higher age (p = 0.048) and borderline higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score (p = 0.056) were risk factors for in-hospital complications. Severe surgical complications occurred in 9% of patients in group A and 10% in group B (risk difference 2%, 95% CI: -6%, 9%). Conversion rate was 9% in group A and 3% in group B (p = 0.070). Severity of disease did not seem to have an impact on complications or length of hospital stay. The median postoperative hospital stay was 8 days in both groups (interquartile range 6-10). Mean operative time was 220 min (SD 64) in group A and 202 min (SD 48) in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study comparing early versus late elective surgery for diverticulitis in terms of the postoperative outcome using a validated classification. Although the retrospective setting and large confidence intervals don't allow definitive recommendations, these results are of utmost importance for the design of future prospective, randomized controlled trials.

New and emerging treatments for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis

Sigmoid diverticulitis is a common benign condition which carries significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden. This article describes the management of sigmoid diverticulitis with a focus on indications for surgical intervention. The mainstay of management of uncomplicated diverticulitis is broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. The old surgical dictum that two episodes of sigmoid diverticulitis warranted surgical intervention has been challenged by recently published data. Surgery for diverticulitis thus needs to be tailored to suit individual presentation; patients presenting with recurrent diverticulitis, severe symptoms or debilitating disease impacting patient’s quality of life mandate surgical intervention. Complicated diverticular disease typically prompts intervention to resect a diseased, strictured sigmoid colon, fistulizing disease, or a life-threatening colonic perforation. Laterally, minimally invasive surgery has been utilized in the management of this disease and recent data suggests that localized colonic perforation may be managed by laparoscopic peritoneal lavage, without resection. This review focuses discussion on available evidence for contemporary surgical and nonoperative management of diverticulitis.

[Perforation risk and patient age. Risk analysis in acute sigmoid diverticulitis]

INTRODUCTION

It is often postulated that younger patients with acute sigmoid diverticulitis (SD) have an increased risk of perforation which constitutes an indication for early surgery. The aim of this study was to correlate the severity of sigmoid diverticulitis with patient age in order to check the surgical indication in younger patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with acute SD from January 1998 to June 2009 were included. Two age groups were distinguished: group I (GI) ≤40 years in age and group II (GII) >40 years. The perforation risk associated with first episode SD was determined by multivariate analysis. SD was classified according to Hansen and Stock (H/S).

RESULTS

In the total cohort of 959 patients, including 86 in GI (8.9%) and 873 in GII (91.1%) 468 had a first episode, with 64 in GI (13.7%) and 404 in GII (86.3%). The proportion of first episodes was 74.4% in GI and 46.3% in GII (p<0.001). The perforation risk did not differ (H/S IIb: 29.7% in GI vs. 29.2% in GII, p=0.938; H/S IIc: 25% in GI vs. 25% in GII, p=1). Treatment regimes were (GI vs. GII) emergency operations 25% vs. 25% (p=1), elective operations 17.2% vs. 10% (p=0.096) and conservative treatment 57.8% vs. 64.9% (p=0.276).

CONCLUSION

First episodes of SD were more frequent in younger patients (≤40) and did not involve a higher risk of perforation. The indication for treatment of acute SD should not be based on age but on the severity of inflammation and the individual situation of patients.

Sigmoid diverticulitis in young patients--a more aggressive disease than in older patients?

INTRODUCTION

There is controversy over whether sigmoid diverticulitis (SD) is more aggressive with a higher risk of perforation in younger than in older patients. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical presentation and outcome of patients ≤40 and >40 years old with acute diverticulitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive admissions of all patients with acute SD were prospectively recruited from January 1998 to June 2010.

RESULTS

A total of 1,019 patients were included: 513 (69 ≤40 years and 444 >40 years) presented with their first episode, while 506 (20 ≤40 years, 486 >40 years) had a prior history of SD. The percentage of patients with severe SD did not differ between the two age groups either for the first (covered perforation, 30.4% vs. 29.5%, p = 0.875; free perforation, 26.1% vs. 23.9%, p = 0.69) or for the recurrent episode (covered perforation, 15% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.287; free perforation, 5% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.846). Furthermore, the rate of emergency surgery did not differ between both age groups either for the first (26.1% vs. 23.9%, p = 0.690) or the recurrent episode (5% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.846). No differences in the rate of Hartmann's procedure (52.6% vs. 68.3%, p = 0.180) and failure of conservative treatment (3.4% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.607) were observed between younger and older patients.

CONCLUSION

Acute SD in younger patients is not more aggressive and has no higher risk of perforation or need for emergency surgery compared to older patients.