What is the current role of laparoscopic lavage in perforated diverticulitis?

Perforated sigmoid colon in the setting of chicken bone ingestion and diverticulitis: A case report

Introduction

Diverticular perforation due to foreign body ingestion is an uncommon but important cause of gastrointestinal tract injury. The aim of this study is to discuss relevant findings seen in diverticulitis caused by foreign bodies and its treatment.

Case presentation

In this report, we present a case of a 30-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with two days of severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. Computed tomography of the patient's abdomen and pelvis revealed micro-perforations of the sigmoid colon with pneumoperitoneum and an intraluminal foreign body. She subsequently underwent an exploratory laparotomy with sigmoid resection and end-to-end anastomosis due to acute diverticulitis complicated by feculent peritonitis. Gross examination of the excised specimen revealed two large perforations and an intraluminal chicken bone. After a six-day hospitalization, the patient was discharged with an excellent prognosis.

Discussion and conclusion

Prompt radiological evaluation and classification of the degree of diverticulitis using the Hinchey classification system in this patient helped guide definitive treatment. Usage of this classification scheme in foreign body diverticulitis is valuable in determining whether a surgical or non-surgical approach is necessary.

Drains, Germs, or Steel: Multidisciplinary Management of Acute Colonic Diverticulitis

The medical and surgical management of uncomplicated diverticulitis has changed over the last several years. Although immunocompetent patients or those without comorbidities can be treated with antibiotics as an outpatient, the efficacy of high-fiber intake or drugs such as mesalamine or rifaximin is not yet clearly established in the treatment of acute episodes and in the prevention of recurrences. On the other hand, the choice between antibiotic treatment and percutaneous drainage is not always obvious in diverticulitis complicated by abscess formation, especially for larger abscesses; although the results of studies comparing the two approaches remain controversial, surgery must be pursued for abscesses > 8 cm. For emergency surgery, the debate is still ongoing regarding laparoscopic lavage and surgical resection followed by primary anastomosis, since for both approaches the published reports are not in agreement regarding possible benefits. Therefore, these approaches are recommended only for selected patients under the care of experienced surgeons. Also, the contribution of elective surgery toward the overall approach has been revised; currently, it is reserved primarily for patients with a high risk of recurrence and whenever more conservative treatments were not effective.

The Multidisciplinary Management of Acute Complicated Diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Acute complicated diverticulitis (ACD) is an important and increasing issue in Western countries that leads to a significant impact and burden for patients, but also for the society due to its effects on hospital costs. In recent years, essential progression has been made regarding the research and implementation of novel or improved treatment strategies for the various disease entities of ACD. Much debated topics in the multidisciplinary approach of patients with ACD, such as the choice for nonoperative treatment options, the role of percutaneous drainage for diverticular abscesses, the role of laparoscopic lavage for perforated diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis, and the role of sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis for patients with perforated diverticulitis, require clinicians to attentively follow and participate in these discussions.

SUMMARY

The aim of this review article is to provide clinicians with a structured overview of the recent literature on the multidisciplinary management of complicated diverticulitis by a panel of experts on the topic. By performing an extensive literature search in the online medical databases MEDLINE (Ovid) and Embase, insights into nonoperative treatment, percutaneous drainage, minimally invasive and open surgical treatment of ACD are provided. Furthermore, a comprehensive algorithm for the treatment of ACD has been developed.

KEY MESSAGES

Accurate patient evaluation and selection based on patient and disease characteristics is of paramount importance to determine the appropriate treatment strategy for patients with complicated diverticulitis. The presence of an experienced surgeon with advanced skills in laparoscopic emergency colorectal surgery is crucial for the treatment of patients with perforated diverticulitis in order to properly evaluate, select and treat patients suitable for nonoperative or operative treatment with an open or laparoscopic approach.