Randomized controlled trial of oral vs intravenous therapy for the clinically diagnosed acute uncomplicated diverticulitis

Italian guidelines for the diagnosis and management of colonic diverticulosis and diverticular disease

Colonic diverticulosis and diverticular disease are among the most common gastrointestinal disorders encountered in clinical practice. These Italian guidelines focus on the diagnosis and management of diverticulosis and diverticular disease in the adult population, providing practical and evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. Experts from five Italian scientific societies, constituting a multidisciplinary panel, conducted a comprehensive review of meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, and observational studies to formulate 14 PICO questions. The assessment of the quality of the evidence and the formulation of the recommendations were carried out using an adaptation of the GRADE methodology. The guidelines covered the following topics: i) Management of diverticulosis; ii) Symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease: diagnosis and treatment; iii) Acute diverticulitis: diagnosis and treatment; iv) Management of diverticular disease complications; v) Prevention of recurrent acute diverticulitis; vi) Interventional management of diverticular disease.

Acute Colonic Diverticulitis

Acute colonic diverticulitis is a gastrointestinal condition that is frequently encountered by primary care and emergency department practitioners, hospitalists, surgeons, and gastroenterologists. Clinical presentation ranges from mild abdominal pain to peritonitis with sepsis. It is often diagnosed on the basis of clinical features alone, but imaging is necessary in more severe presentations to rule out such complications as abscess and perforation. Treatment depends on the severity of the presentation, the presence of complications, and underlying comorbid conditions. Medical and surgical treatment algorithms are evolving. This article provides an evidence-based, clinically relevant overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of acute diverticulitis.

Oral versus intravenous antibiotics in the treatment of uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis: results of a randomized non-inferiority control trial

BACKGROUND

Colonic diverticular disease is common and its incidence increases with age, with uncomplicated diverticulitis being the most common acute presentation (1). This typically results in inpatient admission, placing a significant burden on healthcare services (2). We aimed to determine the safety and effectiveness of using intravenous or oral antibiotics in the treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis on 30-day unplanned admissions, c-reactive protein (CRP), White Cell Count (WCC), pain resolution, cessation of pain medication, return to normal nutrition, and return to normal bowel function.

METHODS

This single centre, 2-arm, parallel, 1:1, unblinded non-inferiority randomized controlled trial compared the safety and efficacy of oral antibiotics versus intravenous antibiotics in the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis. Inclusion criteria were patients older than 18 years of age with CT proven acute uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis (Modified Hinchey Classification Stage 0-1a). Patients were randomly allocated receive either intravenous or oral antibiotics, both groups being treated in the outpatient setting with a Hospital in the Home (HITH) service. The primary outcome was the 30-day unplanned admission rate, secondary outcomes were biochemical markers, time to pain resolution, time to cessation of pain medication, time to return to normal function and time to return to normal bowel function.

RESULTS

In total 118 patients who presented with uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis were recruited into the trial. Fifty-eight participants were treated with IV antibiotics, and 60 were given oral antibiotics. We found there was no significant difference between groups with regards to 30-day unplanned admissions or inflammatory markers. There was also no significant difference with regards to time to pain resolution, cessation of pain medication use, return to normal nutrition, or return to normal bowel function.

CONCLUSION

Outpatient management of uncomplicated diverticulitis with oral antibiotics proved equally as safe and efficacious as intravenous antibiotic treatment in this randomized non-inferiority control trial.

Can endoscopic follow-up after acute diverticulitis be rationalised?

BACKGROUND

Acute diverticulitis (AD) is a common cause of presentation to emergency surgical services. Follow-up with endoluminal investigation to exclude colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. Guidelines are increasingly moving to a more restrictive follow-up based on severity of disease and age. The purpose of this observational study was to assess the prevalence of CRC in AD patients and the impact of follow-up on endoscopy services.

METHODS

Patients admitted with a diagnosis of AD over a 2-year period were reviewed. The proportion of patients undergoing endoscopic follow-up and the CRC detection rate were recorded. The potential impact of a more conservative approach to follow-up was evaluated.

RESULTS

There were 484 patients with AD presenting 546 times (M:F = 198:286; median age = 63 years). 80% of admissions were aged 50 or older. There were 43 emergency interventions in 39 patients (10 percutaneous drain; 33 surgery). The remainder were managed conservatively. 28 patients (5.1%) underwent colonic resection with cancer found in one specimen (3.6%). 287 patients underwent endoluminal follow-up with cancer diagnosed in 3 cases (1.0%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of CRC between patients requiring emergency surgery and those managed conservatively, or between patients with complicated versus uncomplicated diverticulitis.

CONCLUSION

CRC masquerading as acute diverticulitis is rare. The incidence of neoplasia both at endoscopic follow-up and in patients requiring emergency intervention is low. Conservative follow-up strategies appear safe, but their effectiveness in reducing the burden on endoscopy services may be limited by current age-based recommendations. Restricting follow-up to those with complicated AD would reduce the number of patients requiring endoluminal investigation by 70%.

Efficacy and Safety of a Strategy for Reviewing Intravenous Antibiotics for Hospitalized Japanese Patients with Uncomplicated Diverticulitis: A Single-center Observational Study

Objective Treatment for uncomplicated diverticulitis (UD) is not well established. We evaluated the strategy of reviewing intravenous antibiotics for hospitalized Japanese patients with UD. Methods Treatment was based on the physician's choice until August 2018; the indications for hospitalization and treatment have been standardized since September 2018. In this study, we monitored the use of intravenous antibiotics administered to patients hospitalized for UD and then reviewed the need for them on hospital day 3. We compared patients' length of antibiotic use, hospital stay, health care cost, and complications via the review strategy from September 2018 to December 2020 and via the previous physicians' choice strategy from January 2016 to August 2018. Results Two hundred and forty-seven patients were admitted to our hospital because of acute colonic diverticulitis from January 2016 to December 2020. After excluding complicated cases, 106 individuals were enrolled during the period of physician's choice; 87 were enrolled when treatment review was employed. There were no significant differences in age, sex, inflammation site, or severity during the first hospital visit. The median duration of antibiotic use was significantly reduced from 5 to 4 days (p=0.0075), with no marked increase in rates of transfer to surgery, mortality, or readmission due to recurrence. A more significant proportion of patients completed 3-day antibiotic treatment with the review strategy than with the physician's choice strategy (6.6% vs. 25.3%, p=0.0004). However, the length of hospital stay and total medical costs did not decrease. Conclusion The strategy of reviewing treatment on day 3 after hospitalization for UD safety reduced the duration of antibiotic use, but the hospital stay and health care costs did not decrease.

Antibiotics for uncomplicated diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Diverticulitis is a complication of the common condition, diverticulosis. Uncomplicated diverticulitis has traditionally been treated with antibiotics, as diverticulitis has been regarded as an infectious disease. Risk factors for diverticulitis, however, may suggest that the condition is inflammatory rather than infectious which makes the use of antibiotics questionable.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this systematic review were to determine if antibiotic treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis affects the risk of complications (immediate or late) or the need for emergency surgery.

SEARCH METHODS

For this update, a comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trial Registry Platform on February 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including all types of patients with a radiologically confirmed diagnosis of left-sided uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Comparator and interventions included antibiotics compared to no antibiotics, placebo, or to any other antibiotic treatment (different regimens, routes of administration, dosage or duration of treatment). Primary outcome measures were complications and emergency surgery. Secondary outcomes were recurrence, late complications, elective colonic resections, length of hospital stay, length to recovery of symptoms, adverse events and mortality.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors performed the searches, identification and assessment of RCTs and data extraction. Disagreements were resolved by discussion or involvement of the third author. Authors of trials were contacted to obtain additional data if needed or for preliminary results of ongoing trials. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias was used to assess the methodological quality of the identified trials. The overall quality of evidence for outcomes was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Effect estimates were extracted as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed with the Mantel-Haenzel method.

MAIN RESULTS

The authors included five studies. Three studies compared no antibiotics to antibiotics; all three were original RCTs of which two also published long-term follow-up information.  For the outcome of short-term complications there may be little or no difference between antibiotics and no antibiotics (RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.30 to 2.62; 3 studies, 1329 participants; low-certainty evidence). The rate of emergency surgery within 30 days may be lower with no antibiotics compared to antibiotics (RR 0.47; 95% CI 0.13, 1.71; 1329 participants; 3 studies; low-certainty evidence). However, there is considerable imprecision due to wide confidence intervals for this effect estimate causing uncertainty which means that there may also be a benefit with antibiotics. One of the two remaining trials compared single to double compound antibiotic therapy and, due to wide confidence intervals, the estimate was imprecise and indicated an uncertain clinical effect between these two antibiotic regimens (RR 0.70; 95% CI 0.11 to 4.58; 51 participants; 1 study; low-certainty evidence). The last trial compared short to long intravenous administration of antibiotics and did not report any events for our primary outcomes. Both trials included few participants and one had overall high risk of bias. Since the first publication of this systematic review, an increasing amount of evidence supporting the treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis without antibiotics has been published, but the total body of evidence is still limited.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence on antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated acute diverticulitis suggests that the effect of antibiotics is uncertain for complications, emergency surgery, recurrence, elective colonic resections, and long-term complications. The quality of the evidence is low. Only three RCTs on the need for antibiotics are currently available. More trials are needed to obtain more precise effect estimates.

Diagnostic Imaging and Medical Management of Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis : A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Clinicians need to better understand the value of computed tomography (CT) imaging and nonsurgical treatment options to manage acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

PURPOSE

To evaluate CT imaging, outpatient treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis, antibiotic treatment, and interventional radiology for patients with complicated diverticulitis.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov from 1 January 1990 through 16 November 2020.

STUDY SELECTION

Existing systematic reviews of CT imaging accuracy, as well as randomized trials and adjusted nonrandomized comparative studies reporting clinical or patient-centered outcomes.

DATA EXTRACTION

6 researchers extracted study data and risk of bias, which were verified by an independent researcher. The team assessed strength of evidence across studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Based on moderate-strength evidence, CT imaging is highly accurate for diagnosing acute diverticulitis. For patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis, 6 studies provide low-strength evidence that initial outpatient and inpatient management have similar risks for recurrence or elective surgery, but they provide insufficient evidence regarding other outcomes. Also, for patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis, 5 studies comparing antibiotics versus no antibiotics provide low-strength evidence that does not support differences in risks for treatment failure, elective surgery, recurrence, posttreatment complications, and other outcomes. Evidence is insufficient to determine choice of antibiotic regimen (7 studies) or effect of percutaneous drainage (2 studies).

LIMITATIONS

The evidence base is mostly of low strength. Studies did not adequately assess heterogeneity of treatment effect.

CONCLUSION

Computed tomography imaging is accurate for diagnosing acute diverticulitis. For patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis, no differences in outcomes were found between outpatient and inpatient care. Avoidance of antibiotics for uncomplicated acute diverticulitis may be safe for most patients. The evidence is too sparse for other evaluated questions.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and American College of Physicians. (PROSPERO: CRD42020151246).

Diagnosis and Management of Acute Left-Sided Colonic Diverticulitis: A Clinical Guideline From the American College of Physicians

DESCRIPTION

The American College of Physicians (ACP) developed this guideline to provide clinical recommendations on the diagnosis and management of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis in adults. This guideline is based on current best available evidence about benefits and harms, taken in the context of costs and patient values and preferences.

METHODS

The ACP Clinical Guidelines Committee (CGC) developed this guideline based on a systematic review on the use of computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis and on management via hospitalization, antibiotic use, and interventional percutaneous abscess drainage. The systematic review evaluated outcomes that the CGC rated as critical or important. This guideline was developed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology.

TARGET AUDIENCE AND PATIENT POPULATION

The target audience is all clinicians, and the target patient population is adults with suspected or known acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

RECOMMENDATION 1

ACP suggests that clinicians use abdominal CT imaging when there is diagnostic uncertainty in a patient with suspected acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (conditional recommendation; low-certainty evidence).

RECOMMENDATION 2

ACP suggests that clinicians manage most patients with acute uncomplicated left-sided colonic diverticulitis in an outpatient setting (conditional recommendation; low-certainty evidence).

RECOMMENDATION 3

ACP suggests that clinicians initially manage select patients with acute uncomplicated left-sided colonic diverticulitis without antibiotics (conditional recommendation; low-certainty evidence).

Antibiotics Do Not Reduce Length of Hospital Stay for Uncomplicated Diverticulitis in a Pragmatic Double-Blind Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Antibiotic treatment is the standard care for patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. However, this practice is based on low-level evidence and has been challenged by findings from 2 randomized trials, which did not include a placebo group. We investigated the non-inferiority of placebo vs antibiotic treatment for the management of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.

METHODS

In the selective treatment with antibiotics for non-complicated diverticulitis study, 180 patients hospitalized for uncomplicated acute diverticulitis (determined by computed tomography, Hinchey 1a grade) from New Zealand and Australia were randomly assigned to groups given antibiotics (n = 85) or placebo (n = 95) for 7 days. We collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data and answers to questionnaires completed every 12 hrs for the first 48 hrs and then daily until hospital discharge. The primary endpoint was length of hospital stay; secondary endpoints included occurrence of adverse events, readmission to the hospital, procedural intervention, change in serum markers of inflammation, and patient-reported pain scores at 12 and 24 hrs.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in median time of hospital stay between the antibiotic group (40.0 hrs; 95% CI, 24.4-57.6 hrs) and the placebo group (45.8 hrs; 95% CI, 26.5-60.2 hrs) (P = .2). There were no significant differences between groups in adverse events (12% for both groups; P = 1.0), readmission to the hospital within 1 week (1% for the placebo group vs 6% for the antibiotic group; P = .1), and readmission to the hospital within 30 days (11% for the placebo group vs 6% for the antibiotic group; P = .3).

CONCLUSIONS

Foregoing antibiotic treatment did not prolong length of hospital admission. This result provides strong evidence for omission of antibiotics for selected patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.

ACTRN

12615000249550.

European Society of Coloproctology: guidelines for the management of diverticular disease of the colon

AIM

The goal of this European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) guideline project is to give an overview of the existing evidence on the management of diverticular disease, primarily as a guidance to surgeons.

METHODS

The guideline was developed during several working phases including three voting rounds and one consensus meeting. The two project leads (JKS and EA) appointed by the ESCP guideline committee together with one member of the guideline committee (WB) agreed on the methodology, decided on six themes for working groups (WGs) and drafted a list of research questions. Senior WG members, mostly colorectal surgeons within the ESCP, were invited based on publication records and geographical aspects. Other specialties were included in the WGs where relevant. In addition, one trainee or PhD fellow was invited in each WG. All six WGs revised the research questions if necessary, did a literature search, created evidence tables where feasible, and drafted supporting text to each research question and statement. The text and statement proposals from each WG were arranged as one document by the first and last authors before online voting by all authors in two rounds. For the second voting ESCP national representatives were also invited. More than 90% agreement was considered a consensus. The final phrasing of the statements with < 90% agreement was discussed in a consensus meeting at the ESCP annual meeting in Vienna in September 2019. Thereafter, the first and the last author drafted the final text of the guideline and circulated it for final approval and for a third and final online voting of rephrased statements.

RESULTS

This guideline contains 38 evidence based consensus statements on the management of diverticular disease.

CONCLUSION

This international, multidisciplinary guideline provides an up to date summary of the current knowledge of the management of diverticular disease as a guidance for clinicians and patients.

Acute diverticulitis: old challenge, current trends, open questions

Acute diverticulitis (AD) is an increasing issue for health systems worldwide. As accuracy of clinical symptoms and laboratory examinations is poor, a pivotal role in preoperative diagnosis and severity assessment is played by CT scan. Several new classifications trying to adapt the intraoperative Hinchey's classification to preoperative CT findings have been proposed, but none really entered clinical practice. Treatment of early AD is mostly conservative (antibiotics) and may be administered in outpatients in selected cases. Larger abscesses (exceeding 3 to 5 cm) need percutaneous drainage, while management of stages 3 (purulent peritonitis) and 4 (fecal peritonitis) is difficult to standardize, as various approaches are nowadays suggested. Three situations are identified: situation A, stage 3 in stable/healthy patients, where various options are available, including conservative management, lavage/drainage and primary resection/anastomosis w/without protective stoma; situation B, stage 3 in unstable and/or unhealthy patients, and stage 4 in stable/healthy patients, where stoma-protected primary resection/anastomosis or Hartmann procedure should be performed; situation C, stage 4 in unstable and/or unhealthy patients, where Hartmann procedure or damage control surgery (resection without any anastomosis/stoma) are suggested. Late, elective sigmoid resection is less and less performed, as a new trend towards a patient-tailored management is spreading.

2020 update of the WSES guidelines for the management of acute colonic diverticulitis in the emergency setting

Acute colonic diverticulitis is one of the most common clinical conditions encountered by surgeons in the acute setting. An international multidisciplinary panel of experts from the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) updated its guidelines for management of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (ALCD) according to the most recent available literature. The update includes recent changes introduced in the management of ALCD. The new update has been further integrated with advances in acute right-sided colonic diverticulitis (ARCD) that is more common than ALCD in select regions of the world.

Operative Surgery is Rarely Required in the Acute Management of Diverticulitis in the Modern Era

Acute diverticulitis is an emergency surgical condition that is commonly managed via an acute surgical unit model. Operative surgery is indicated in selected situations including generalized peritonitis or fistulous disease; however, limited data exist on how borderline patients potentially needing surgery may be salvaged by close clinical management with modern interventional techniques. The aims of the study were to identify the operative surgery rates in acute diverticulitis and predictors for identifying patients with complicated diverticulitis. Retrospective data collection was performed on a prospectively held database at a high-volume acute surgical unit at Logan Hospital, Queensland. Patient demographic data, disease-related factors, and treatment-related factors were collected for reporting and analysis. Over three years (2016–2018), 201 patients (64%) were admitted with uncomplicated diverticulitis and 113 patients (36%) with complicated diverticulitis. An observable downward trend was noted in the number of yearly admissions for uncomplicated diverticulitis. Complicated diverticulitis was associated with male gender ( P = 0.039), increased length of hospital stay ( P < 0.001), temperature ≥37.5 ( P = 0.025), increased white cell count ( P < 0.001), and elevated C-reactive protein ( P < 0.001). Twelve patients (11%) with complicated diverticulitis initially failed conservative management. Seven patients (6%) underwent a definitive Hartmann's procedure, and 5 patients (4%) underwent percutaneous drainage of abscesses. Acute diverticulitis can be safely managed nonoperatively by medical therapy and percutaneous drainage of abscesses, with surgery reserved for patients with complicated diver-ticulitis with sepsis or peritonitis.

Paradigm shift: the Copernican revolution in diverticular disease

Diverticular disease (DD) is an umbrella definition that includes different clinical conditions ranging from diverticulosis to severe and potentially life-threatening complications. In the last decade, new concepts regarding pathogenetic alterations have been developed, while the diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic approaches to the management of DD patients have changed. The protective role of dietary factors (i.e., fiber) has been questioned, whilst some drugs widely used in clinical practice have been found to have a deleterious effect. The use of antibiotics in all patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis was reconsidered, as well as the need for a surgical approach in these patients. Conflicting recommendations in different guidelines were proposed for the treatment of symptomatic uncomplicated DD. An endoscopic classification of DD was introduced, and a "curative" endoscopic approach has been pioneered. Based on these observations, which together amount to a kind of "Copernican revolution" in the management of DD patients, we performed a comprehensive and critical reappraisal of the proposed modifications, aiming to discriminate between certainties and doubts on this issue.

Reduction in hospital admissions with an early computed tomography scan: results of an outpatient management protocol for uncomplicated acute diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

There is increasing evidence that uncomplicated acute diverticulitis (UAD) can be safely and effectively managed as an outpatient. The aim of the current study was to evaluate if an early computed tomography (CT) scan in the emergency department (ED) can reduce the number of hospital admissions when UAD is diagnosed, without compromising patient safety.

METHODS

A protocol was introduced in 2015, whereby patients with suspected diverticulitis receive a CT scan on presentation to the ED and be considered for discharge home on oral antibiotics if UAD is confirmed. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was conducted for all patients presenting to the ED with acute diverticulitis over a 4-year period: 2 years prior (May 2013-April 2015; pre-protocol) and 2 years after implementation of the protocol (May 2015-April 2017; post-protocol).

RESULTS

A total of 1147 patients presented to the ED, who were diagnosed with diverticulitis, and UAD was confirmed in 552 patients. There was a significant decrease in hospital admissions for UAD in the post-protocol group from 93% to 39% (P < 0.0001) and in the total number of hospital admission days from 602 to 370 (P < 0.0001). There was no increase in representations between both periods (7% versus 6%; P = 0.49).

CONCLUSION

Definitive diagnosis by early CT scan in the ED decreased the admission rate for UAD by more than 50%, and significantly reduced the total number of hospital days without resulting in an increase in representations. UAD can safely and effectively be treated in an outpatient setting leading to a reduction in the burden on the health system.

Meta-analyses of Current Strategies to Treat Uncomplicated Diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis is common. There is no consensus regarding the most appropriate management. Some authors have reported the efficacy and safety of observational management, and others have argued for a more aggressive approach with oral or intravenous antibiotic treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to perform an updated meta-analysis of the different management strategies for uncomplicated diverticulitis with 2 separate meta-analyses.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were used.

STUDY SELECTION

All randomized clinical trials, prospective, and retrospective comparative studies were included.

INTERVENTIONS

Observational and antibiotics treatment or oral and intravenous antibiotics treatment were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Successful management (emergency management, recurrence, elective management) was measured.

RESULTS

After review of 293 identified records, 11 studies fit inclusion criteria: 7 studies compared observational management and antibiotics treatment (2321 patients), and 4 studies compared oral and intravenous antibiotics treatment (355 patients). There was no significant difference between observational management and antibiotics treatment in terms of emergency surgery (0.7% vs 1.4%; p = 0.1) and recurrence (11% vs 12%; p = 0.3). In this part, considering only randomized trials, elective surgery during the follow-up occurred more frequently in the observational group than the antibiotic group (2.5% vs 0.9%; p = 0.04). The second meta-analysis showed that failure and recurrence rates were similar between oral and intravenous antibiotics treatment (6% vs 7% (p = 0.6) and 8% vs 9% (p = 0.8)).

LIMITATIONS

Inclusion of nonrandomized studies, identification of high risks of bias (selection, performance, and detection bias), and presence of heterogeneity between the studies limited this work.

CONCLUSIONS

Observational management was not statistically different from antibiotic treatment for the primary outcome of needing to undergo surgery. However, in patients being treated by antibiotics, our studies demonstrated that oral administration was similar to intravenous administration and provided lower costs. Although it may be difficult for physicians to do, there is mounting evidence that not treating uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis with antibiotics is a viable treatment alternative.

Is the outpatient management of acute diverticulitis safe and effective? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In Western countries, the incidence of acute diverticulitis (AD) is increasing. Patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis can undergo a standard antibiotic treatment in an outpatient setting. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the safety and efficacy of the management of acute diverticulitis in an outpatient setting.

METHODS

A literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Central and Web of Science up to September 2018. Studies including patients who had outpatient management of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis were considered. We manually checked the reference lists of all included studies to identify any additional studies. Primary outcome was the overall failure rates in the outpatient setting. The failure of outpatient setting was defined as any emergency hospital admission in patients who had outpatient treatment for AD in the previous 60 days. A subgroup analysis of failure was performed in patients with AD of the left colon, with or without comorbidities, with previous episodes of AD, in patients with diabetes, with different severity of AD (pericolic air and abdominal abscess), with or without antibiotic treatment, with ambulatory versus home care unit follow-up, with or without protocol and where outpatient management is a common practice. The secondary outcome was the rate of emergency surgical treatment or percutaneous drainage in patients who failed outpatient treatment.

RESULTS

This systematic review included 21 studies including 1781 patients who had outpatient management of AD  including 11 prospective, 9 retrospective and only 1 randomized trial. The meta-analysis showed that outpatient management is safe, and the overall failure rate in an outpatient setting was 4.3% (95% CI 2.6%-6.3%). Localization of diverticulitis is not a selection criterion for an outpatient strategy (p 0.512). The other subgroup analyses did not report any factors that influence the rate of failure: previous episodes of acute diverticulitis (p = 0.163), comorbidities (p = 0.187), pericolic air (p = 0.653), intra-abdominal abscess (p = 0.326), treatment according to a registered protocol (p = 0.078), type of follow-up (p = 0.700), type of antibiotic treatment (p = 0.647) or diabetes (p = 0.610). In patients who failed outpatient treatment, the majority had prolonged antibiotic therapy and only few had percutaneous drainage for an abscess (0.13%) or surgical intervention for perforation (0.06%). These results should be interpreted with some caution because of the low quality of available data.

CONCLUSIONS

The outpatient management of AD can reduce the rate of emergency hospitalizations. This setting is already part of the common clinical practice of many emergency departments, in which a standardized protocol is followed. The data reported suggest that this management is safe if associated with an accurate selection of patients (40%); but no subgroup analysis demonstrated significant differences between groups (such as comorbidities, previous episode, diabetes). The main limitations of the findings of the present review concern their applicability in common clinical practice as it was impossible to identify strict criteria of failure.

Index C-reactive protein predicts increased severity in acute sigmoid diverticulitis

Purpose

Conservative management is successful in unperforated (Hinchey Ia) acute diverticulitis (AD) and also generally in local perforation or small abscesses (Hinchey Ib). A higher degree of radiological severity (Hinchey >Ib), ie, a larger abscess (>3-4 cm) or peritonitis, commonly requires percutaneous drainage or surgery. Retrospective studies show that high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) distinguish Hinchey Ia from all cases of minor and major perforations (Hinchey >Ia). The current study aims to evaluate the usefulness of CRP in distinguishing AD with a higher degree of severity (Hinchey >Ib) from cases that can be treated noninvasively (Hinchey Ia/Ib).

Methods

Data from consecutive patients with AD were collected prospectively. All underwent computed tomography (CT). Index parameters obtained at the initial evaluation at the emergency unit were analyzed to assess the association with the outcome. The exclusion criteria comprised concomitant conditions that affected CRP baseline levels.

Results

Ninety-nine patients were analyzed. Eighty-eight had mild radiological grading (Hinchey Ia/Ib), and 11 had severe radiological grading (Hinchey >Ib) (median index CRP 80 mg/L vs 236 mg/L [P<0.001]). White blood cells, neutrophils/lymphocytes, serum creatinine, serum glucose, generalized peritonitis, generalized abdominal tenderness, urinary symptoms, and index CRP were related to severe disease. Index CRP was the only independent predictor for Hinchey >Ib (P=0.038). The optimal cutoff value calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was found to be 173 mg/L (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 90.9%, P<0.001). All patients who underwent radiological drainage or surgery had an index CRP >173 mg/L and Hinchey >Ib.

Conclusion

CRP levels >173 mg/L obtained at the initial evaluation at the emergency unit predict major acute complications in AD. These patients commonly require urgent percutaneous drainage or surgical management.

Conservative treatment of duodenal diverticulitis perforation: a case report and literature review

Perforation is the rarest complication of the duodenal diverticulum (DD), but it is the most serious complication. Mortality rate was reported up to 30%, which may be related to diagnostic delay because the symptoms of the perforated DD are vague and nonspecific. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is important to improve the clinical outcome. Surgical treatment was considered as the standard therapeutic option. However, surgical intervention may increase morbidity and mortality due to surgical complications. Therefore, nonoperative management can be considered in some patients with perforated diverticulum who have stable vital signs without generalized peritonitis, or in elderly patients with comorbidities. Several case reports of nonoperative management of perforated DD have been reported. Herein, we describe a patient with perforated DD diagnosed based on a computed tomography scan, who was successfully treated with conservative treatment.

Management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis without antibiotics: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of predictors of treatment failure

BACKGROUND

Diverticulitis is a common complication of diverticular disease of the colon. While complicated diverticulitis often warrants intervention, acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) is usually managed conservatively. The aim of the present review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of conservative treatment of AUD without antibiotics compared to standard antibiotic treatment.

METHODS

A systematic literature review in compliance with PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane central register of controlled trials were searched. Studies that assessed efficacy and safety of treatment of AUD without antibiotics were included. Outcome parameters were rates of treatment failure, recurrence of diverticulitis, complications and mortality, readmission to hospital, and need for surgery.

RESULTS

Nine studies including 2565 patients were included to the review. Of these patients, 65.1% were treated conservatively without antibiotics. Treatment failure was observed in 5.1% of patients not-given-antibiotic treatment versus 3.4% of those given antibiotic treatment. Recurrent diverticulitis occurred in 9.3% of patients in the non-antibiotic group versus 12.1% of patients in the antibiotic group. On meta-analysis of the studies, there were no significant differences between non-antibiotic and antibiotic treatment groups regarding rates of treatment failure (OR = 1.5, p = 0.06), recurrence of diverticulitis (OR = 0.81, p = 0.2), complications (OR = 0.56, p = 0.25), readmission rates (OR = 0.97, p = 0.91), need for surgery (OR = 0.59, p = 0.28), and mortality (OR = 0.64, p = 0.47). The only variable that was significantly associated with treatment failure in the non-antibiotic treatment group was associated comorbidities (standard error (SE) = - 0.07, 95% CI - 0.117 - 0.032; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of AUD without antibiotics is feasible, safe, and effective. Adding broad-spectrum antibiotics to the treatment regimen did not serve to decrease treatment failure, recurrence, complications, hospital readmissions, and need for surgery significantly compared to non-antibiotic treatment.

Acute Colonic Diverticulitis

Acute colonic diverticulitis is a gastrointestinal condition frequently encountered by primary care practitioners, hospitalists, surgeons, and gastroenterologists. Clinical presentation ranges from mild abdominal pain to peritonitis with sepsis. It can often be diagnosed on the basis of clinical features alone, but imaging is necessary in more severe presentations to rule out such complications as abscess and perforation. Treatment depends on the severity of the presentation, presence of complications, and underlying comorbid conditions. Medical and surgical treatment algorithms are evolving. This article provides an evidence-based, clinically relevant overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of acute diverticulitis.

Uncomplicated Acute Diverticulitis: Identifying Risk Factors for Severe Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The management of uncomplicated (Modified Hinchey Classification Ia) acute diverticulitis (AD) has become increasingly conservative, with a focus on symptomatic relief and supportive management. Clear criteria for patient selection are required to implement this safely. This retrospective study aimed to identify risk factors for severe clinical course in patients with uncomplicated AD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients admitted to General Surgery at two New Zealand tertiary centres over a period of 18 months were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out in order to identify factors associated with a more severe clinical course. This was defined by three endpoints: need for procedural intervention, admission >7 days and 30-day readmission; these were analysed separately and as a combined outcome.

RESULTS

Uncomplicated AD was identified in 319 patients. Fifteen patients (5%) required procedural intervention; this was associated with SIRS (OR 3.92). Twenty-two (6.9%) patients were admitted for >7 days; this was associated with patient-reported pain score >8/10 (OR 5.67). Thirty-one patients (9.8%) required readmission within 30 days; this was associated with pain score >8/10 (OR 6.08) and first episode of AD (OR 2.47). Overall, 49 patients had a severe clinical course, and associated factors were regular steroid/immunomodulator use (OR 4.34), pain score >8/10 (OR 5.9) and higher temperature (OR 1.51) and CRP ≥200 (OR 4.1).

CONCLUSION

SIRS, high pain score and CRP, first episode and regular steroid/immunomodulator use were identified as predictors of worse outcome in uncomplicated AD. These findings have the potential to inform prospective treatment decisions in this patient group.

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.

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.

Complicated diverticular disease: Position statement on outpatient management, Hartmann's procedure, laparoscopic peritoneal lavage and laparoscopic approach. Consensus document of the Spanish Association of Coloproctology and the Coloproctology Section of the Spanish Association of Surgeons

The Spanish Association of Coloproctology (AECP) and the Coloproctology Section of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC), propose this consensus document about complicated diverticular disease that could be used for decision-making. Outpatient management, Hartmann's procedure, laparoscopic peritoneal lavage, and the role of a laparoscopic approach in colonic resection are exposed.

20-Year Trends in the Management of Diverticulitis Across New York State: an Analysis of 265,724 Patients

INTRODUCTION

Management of acute diverticulitis (AD) has considerably changed over time. This study evaluates practice patterns for diverticulitis across demographic populations in New York State.

METHODS

Two hundred sixty-five thousand seven hundred twenty-four patients with acute diverticulitis were analyzed from 1995 to 2014 from the New York-Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database. The likelihood of having surgery over time was compared across patient demographic subgroups using logistic regression models to calculate estimated odds ratio with their 95 % confidence intervals. Using Chi-square test and Welch's t test, categorical and continuous variables were compared.

RESULTS

From 1995 to 2014, there was an increase in newly diagnosed diverticulitis patients while the proportion of those patients undergoing operative management steadily decreased (31 to 10 %, p < 0.0001). Of those receiving surgery, emergent surgeries decreased (58 to 47 %, p < 0.0001) while elective surgeries increased (42 to 53 %, p < 0.0001) with the odds of having emergency surgery decreasing by 4 % annually (OR 0.96 (0.95-0.97), p < 0.0001). With the exception of patients greater than 80 years old, these linear trends were substantiated across patient subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past 20 years in New York State, there has been an increase in diverticulitis diagnoses and hospital admissions, with a decrease in surgeries performed reflecting a shift towards conservative management and more effective antibiotic treatment.

Outpatient treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis: a systematic review

Acute diverticulitis occurs in up to 25% of patients with diverticulosis. The majority of cases are mild or uncomplicated and it has become a frequent reason for consultation in the emergency department. On the basis of the National Inpatient Sample database from the USA, 86% of patients admitted with diverticulitis were treated with medical therapy. However, several recent studies have shown that outpatient treatment with antibiotics is safe and effective. The aim of this systematic review is to update the evidence published in the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. We performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines and searched in MEDLINE and Cochrane databases all English-language articles on the management of acute diverticulitis using the following search terms: 'diverticulitis', 'outpatient', and 'uncomplicated'. Data were extracted independently by two investigators. A total of 11 articles for full review were yielded: one randomized controlled trial, eight prospective cohort studies, and two retrospective cohort studies. Treatment successful rate on an outpatient basis, which means that no further complications were reported, ranged from 91.5 to 100%. Fewer than 8% of patients were readmitted in the hospital. Intolerance to oral intake and lack of family or social support are common exclusion criteria used for this approach, whereas severe comorbidities are not definitive exclusion criteria in all the studies. Ambulatory treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis is safe, effective, and economically efficient when applying an appropriate selection in most reviewed studies.

Selective non-antibiotic treatment in sigmoid diverticulitis: is it time to change the traditional approach?

BACKGROUND

A growing body of knowledge is calling into question the use of antibiotics in acute diverticulitis (AD). Moreover, recent studies provide evidence regarding the security of treating patients with AD as outpatients. The aim of this study was to evaluate a restrictive antibiotic outpatient protocol for the treatment of mild-to-moderate episodes of AD.

METHODS

All patients with symptoms of AD presenting to our emergency department were assigned a modified Neff stage. Patients with mild AD received outpatient treatment without antibiotics. Patients with mild AD and comorbidities were admitted to receive the same treatment. Patients with moderate AD were admitted for 48 h and were then managed as outpatients until they had completed 10 days of antibiotic treatment.

RESULTS

Between April 2013 and November 2014, we attended 110 patients with a diagnosis of AD, 77 of whom we included in the study: 45 patients with mild AD and 32 with moderate AD. Of the patients with mild AD, 88.8 % successfully completed the non-antibiotic, non-admission treatment regime and 95.5 % benefited from a non-antibiotic regime, whether as outpatients or inpatients. A total of 88 % of patients with mild AD and 87.5 % of patients with moderate AD who met the inclusion criteria completed treatment as outpatients without incident. No major complications (abscess, emergency surgery) or deaths were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient treatment without antibiotics for patients with mild AD is safe and effective. Patients with moderate AD can be safely treated with antibiotics in a mixed regime as inpatients and outpatients.

WSES Guidelines for the management of acute left sided colonic diverticulitis in the emergency setting

Acute left sided colonic diverticulitis is one of the most common clinical conditions encountered by surgeons in acute setting. A World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) Consensus Conference on acute diverticulitis was held during the 3rd World Congress of the WSES in Jerusalem, Israel, on July 7th, 2015. During this consensus conference the guidelines for the management of acute left sided colonic diverticulitis in the emergency setting were presented and discussed. This document represents the executive summary of the final guidelines approved by the consensus conference.

[Treatment of the acute diverticulitis: A systematic review]

Acute diverticulitis is a common disease with increasing incidence. In most of cases, diagnosis is made at an uncomplicated stage offering a curative attempt under medical treatment and use of antibiotics. There is a risk of diverticulitis recurrence. Uncomplicated diverticulitis is opposed to complicated forms (perforation, abscess or fistula). Recent insights in the pathophysiology of diverticulitis, the natural history, and treatments have permitted to identify new treatment strategies. For example, the use of antibiotics tends to decrease; surgery is now less invasive, percutaneous drainage is preferred, peritoneal lavage is encouraged. Treatments of the diverticulitis are constantly evolving. In this review, we remind the pathophysiology and natural history, and summarize new recommendations for the medical and surgical treatment of acute diverticulitis.

Outpatient, non-antibiotic management in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis: a prospective study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate outpatient, non-antibiotic management in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis with regard to admissions, complications, and recurrences, within a 3-month follow-up period.

METHODS

A prospective, observational study in which patients with computer tomography-verified acute uncomplicated diverticulitis were managed as outpatients without antibiotics. The patients kept a personal journal, were contacted daily by a nurse, and then followed up by a surgeon at 1 week and 3 months.

RESULTS

In total, 155 patients were included, of which 54 were men; the mean age of the patients was 57.4 years. At the time of diagnosis, the mean C-reactive protein and white blood cell count were 73 mg/l and 10.5 × 10(9), respectively, and normalized in the vast majority of patients within the first week. The majority of the patients (97.4%) were managed successfully as outpatients without antibiotics, admissions, or complications. In only four (2.6%) patients, the management failed because of complications in three and deterioration in one. These patients were all treated successfully as inpatients without surgery. Five patients had recurrences and were treated as outpatients without antibiotics. Follow-up colonic investigations revealed cancer in two patients and polyps in 13 patients.

CONCLUSION

Previous results of low complication rates with the non-antibiotic policy were confirmed. The new policy of outpatient management without antibiotics in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is now shown to be feasible, well functioning, and safe.

Effect of oral mesalamine on inflammatory response in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis

AIM: To evaluate the impact of mesalamine administration on inflammatory response in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

METHODS: We conducted a single centre retrospective cohort study on patients admitted to our surgical department between January 2012 and May 2014 with a computed tomography -confirmed diagnosis of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. A total of 50 patients were included in the analysis, 20 (study group) had received 3.2 g/d of mesalamine starting from the day of admission in addition to the usual standard treatment, 30 (control group) had received standard therapy alone. Data was retrieved from a prospective database. Our primary study endpoints were: C reactive protein mean levels over time and their variation from baseline (ΔCRP) over the first three days of treatment. Secondary end points included: mean white blood cell and neutrophile count over time, time before regaining of regular bowel movements (passing of stools), time before reintroduction of food intake, intensity of lower abdominal pain over time, analgesic consumption and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS: Patients characteristics and inflammatory parameters were similar at baseline in the two groups. The evaluation of CRP levels over time showed, in treated patients, a distinct trend towards a faster decrease compared to controls. This difference approached statistical significance on day 2 (mean CRP 6.0 +/- 4.2 mg/dL and 10.0 +/- 6.7 mg/dL respectively in study group vs controls, P = 0.055). ΔCRP evaluation evidenced a significantly greater increment of this inflammatory marker in the control group on day 1 (P = 0.03). A similar trend towards a faster resolution of inflammation was observed evaluating the total white blood cell count. Neutrophile levels were significantly lower in treated patients on day 2 and on day 3 (P < 0.05 for both comparisons). Mesalamine administration was also associated with an earlier reintroduction of food intake (median 1.5 d and 3 d, study group vs controls respectively, P < 0.001) and with a shorter hospital stay (median 5 d and 5.5 d, study group vs controls respectively, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: Despite its limitations, this study suggests that mesalamine may allow for a faster recovery and for a reduction of inflammatory response in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Diverticular disease: guidelines of the german society for gastroenterology, digestive and metabolic diseases and the german society for general and visceral surgery

BACKGROUND

Diverticular disease is one of the most common disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. 28-45% of the population develop colonic diverticula, while about 25% suffer symptoms and about 5% complications.

AIM

To create formal guidelines for diagnosis and management.

METHODS

Six working groups with 44 participants analyzed key questions in subject areas assigned to them. Following a systematic literature search, 451 publications were included. Consensus was obtained by agreement within the working groups, two Delphi processes and a guideline conference.

RESULTS

Targeted management of diverticular disease requires a classificatory diagnosis. A new classification was created. In addition to the clinical examination, intestinal ultrasound or computed tomography is the determining factor. Interval colonoscopy is recommended to exclude comorbidities. A low-fiber diet, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking and immunosuppression have an adverse impact on diverticulosis. This can lead to diverticulitis. Antibiotics are no longer recommended in uncomplicated diverticulitis if no risk factors such as immunosuppression are present. If close monitoring is ensured, uncomplicated diverticulitis can be treated on an outpatient basis. Complicated diverticulitis should be treated in hospital, involving broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, where necessary abscess drainage, and surgery, if possible laparoscopically. In the case of chronic relapsing diverticulitis, the risk of perforation decreases with each episode, so that surgery is no longer recommended after the second episode but only following individual assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

New findings on diverticular disease call into question the overuse of antibiotics and excessive indications for surgery. Targeted treatment requires a precise diagnosis and intensive interdisciplinary cooperation.

Left colon acute diverticulitis: an update on diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Diverticulosis of the colon is a common disease with an increasing incidence in Western Countries. It represents a significant burden for National Health Systems in terms of costs. Most people with diverticulosis remain asymptomatic, about one quarter of them will develop an episode of symptomatic diverticular disease and up to 5% an episode of acute diverticulitis (AD). AD shows an increasing prevalence. Recently, progresses have been reached about the etiology, pathogenesis, natural course of diverticular disease and its complications; improvements about the diagnosis and treatment of AD have been achieved. However, the treatment options are not well defined because of a lack of solid evidence: there are few systematic reviews and well conducted trials to guide decision-making in the treatment of AD and in the prevention of its recurrences. This review describes the recent evidence about diagnosis, treatment and prevention of AD.

No antibiotics in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis: does it work?

BACKGROUND

The first randomized multicenter study evaluating the need for antibiotic treatment in patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) could not demonstrate any benefit gained from antibiotic use. The aim of this study was to review the application of the no antibiotic policy and its consequences in regard to complications and recurrence.

METHODS

This retrospective population-based cohort study included all patients diagnosed with all types of colonic diverticulitis during the year 2011 at Västmanland Hospital Västerås, Sweden. All medical records were carefully reviewed. Primary outcomes were the types of treatment adopted for diverticulitis, complications and recurrence.

RESULTS

In total, 246 patients with computer tomography-verified diverticulitis were identified, 195 with primary AUD and 51 with acute complicated diverticulitis. Age, sex, and temperature at admission were similar between the groups but there was a significant difference in white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and length of hospital stay. In the AUD group, 178 (91.3%) patients were not treated with antibiotics. In this group, there were six (3.4%) readmissions but only two developed an abscess. Of the remaining 17 patients (8.7%) who were treated with antibiotics in the AUD group, one developed an abscess. Twenty-five (12.8%) patients in the AUD group presented with a recurrence within 1 year.

CONCLUSION

The no-antibiotic policy for AUD is safe and applicable in clinical practice. The previous results of a low complication and recurrence rate in AUD are confirmed. There is no need for antibiotic treatment for AUD. What does this paper add to the literature? Despite published papers with excellent results, there are still doubts about patient safety against the policy to not use antibiotics in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. This is the first paper, in actual clinical practice, to confirm that the no antibiotic policy for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is applicable and safe.

Systematic review of evidence and consensus on diverticulitis: an analysis of national and international guidelines

AIM

The study aimed to analyse the currently available national and international guidelines for areas of consensus and contrasting recommendations in the treatment of diverticulitis and thereby to design questions for future research.

METHOD

MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed were systematically searched for guidelines on diverticular disease and diverticulitis. Inclusion was confined to papers in English and those < 10 years old. The included topics were classified as consensus or controversy between guidelines, and the highest level of evidence was scored as sufficient (Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine Level of Evidence of 3a or higher) or insufficient.

RESULTS

Six guidelines were included and all topics with recommendations were compared. Overall, in 13 topics consensus was reached and 10 topics were regarded as controversial. In five topics, consensus was reached without sufficient evidence and in three topics there was no evidence and no consensus. Clinical staging, the need for intraluminal imaging, dietary restriction, duration of antibiotic treatment, the protocol for abscess treatment, the need for elective surgery in subgroups of patients, the need for surgery after abscess treatment and the level of the proximal resection margin all lack consensus or evidence.

CONCLUSION

Evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of diverticular disease and diverticulitis ranged from nonexistent to strong, regardless of consensus. The most relevant research questions were identified and proposed as topics for future research.

Systematic review: outpatient management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is traditionally managed by inpatient admission for bowel rest, intravenous fluids and intravenous antibiotics. In recent years, an increasing number of publications have sought to determine whether care might instead be conducted in the community, with earlier enteral feeding and oral antibiotics. This systematic review evaluates the safety and efficacy of such an ambulatory approach.

METHODS

Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched. All peer-reviewed studies that investigated the role of ambulatory treatment protocols for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis, either directly or indirectly, were eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

Nine studies were identified as being suitable for inclusion, including one randomised controlled trial, seven prospective cohort studies and one retrospective cohort study. All, except one, employed imaging as part of their diagnostic criteria. There was inconsistency between studies with regards to whether patients with significant co-morbidities were eligible for ambulatory care and whether bowel rest therapy was employed. Neither of these variables influenced outcome. Across all studies, 403 out of a total of 415 (97 %) participants were successfully treated for an episode of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis using an outpatient-type approach. Cost savings ranged from 35.0 to 83.0 %.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence suggests that a more progressive, ambulatory-based approach to the majority of cases of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis is justified. Based on this evidence, the authors present a possible outpatient-based treatment algorithm. An appropriately powered randomised controlled trial is now required to determine its safety and efficacy compared to traditional inpatient management.

Management of acute diverticulitis and its complications

Colonic diverticular disease is a common condition, and around a quarter of people affected by it will experience acute symptoms at some time. The most common presentation is uncomplicated acute diverticulitis that can be managed conservatively with bowel rest and antibiotics. However, some patients will present with diverticular abscesses or purulent or faeculent peritonitis due to perforated diverticular disease. Whilst most mesocolic abscesses can be managed with percutaneous drainage alone, pelvic abscesses are associated with a higher rate of future complications and usually require percutaneous drainage followed by interval sigmoid resection. Patients who require emergency surgery for complicated acute diverticulitis most commonly undergo a Hartmann's procedure, although resection with primary anastomosis and laparoscopic peritoneal lavage have emerged as alternative treatment options for patients with purulent peritonitis in recent years. However, robust evidence from randomized trials is lacking for these alternative procedures, and the studies that have reported good outcomes from them have included carefully selected patient groups. There has been a move away from recommending elective prophylactic colectomy after two episodes of acute diverticulitis in the light of evidence that most patients will not experience a significant recurrence of their symptoms; elective surgery is indicated for those with ongoing symptoms, pelvic abscesses, complications-such as fistulating disease, strictures or recurrent diverticular bleeding-and those who are at high risk of perforation during future episodes, for example, due to immunosuppression, chronic renal failure or collagen-vascular diseases.

Application of a modified Neff classification to patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis

AIM

Severity of acute diverticulitis (AD) has traditionally been assessed using the Hinchey classification; however, this classification is predominantly a surgical one. The Neff classification provides an alternative classification based on CT findings. The aim of this study was to evaluate a modification of the Neff classification to select patients presenting with early-stage AD to receive outpatient management.

METHOD

All patients with AD, presenting to a single unit, were prospectively studied. All patients underwent emergency abdominal CT and were assigned a Neff stage, including a modification (mNeff) to Neff Stage I. The Neff stages used were: Stage 0, uncomplicated diverticulitis; Diverticula, thickening of the wall, increased density of the pericolic fat; Stage I, locally complicated (our modification included substages Ia (localized pneumoperitoneum in the form of air bubbles) and Ib (local abscess); Stage II, complicated with pelvic abscess; Stage III, complicated with distant abscess; and Stage IV, complicated with other distant complications. Patients who presented with Stage 0 or Stage Ia were selectively managed as outpatients. Patients with comorbidity or the presence of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) were excluded.

RESULTS

Between February 2010 and January 2013, 205 patients (mean age 59 years; age range 25-90 years) presented with AD. One-hundred and forty-nine met the radiological criteria for potential outpatient treatment. After applying the exclusion criteria, 68 were eventually assigned to an outpatient programme. Sixty-four (94%) successfully completed the outpatient treatment protocol; four patients were readmitted.

CONCLUSION

Our mNeff classification allowed selected patients with AD to be successfully managed in an outpatient programme.

Dietary restrictions for acute diverticulitis: evidence-based or expert opinion?

PURPOSE

Diet restrictions are usually advised as part of the conservative treatment for the acute phase of a diverticulitis episode. To date, the rationale behind diet restrictions has never been thoroughly studied. This study aims to investigate which factors influence the choice of dietary restriction at presentation. Additionally, the effect of dietary restrictions on hospitalization duration is investigated.

METHODS

All patients hospitalized for Hinchey 0, Ia, or Ib diverticulitis between January 2010 and June 2011 were included. Patients were categorized according to the diet imposed by the treating physician at presentation and included nil per os, clear liquid, liquid diet, and solid foods. The relation between Hinchey classification, C-reactive protein, leucocyte count and temperature at presentation and diet choice was examined. Subsequently, the relation between diet restriction and number of days hospitalized was studied.

RESULTS

Of the 256 patients included in the study 65 received nil per os, 89 clear liquid, 75 liquid diet, and 27 solid foods at presentation. Solely high temperature appeared to be related to a more restrictive diet choice at presentation. Patients who received liquid diet (HR 1.66 CI 1.19-2.33) or solid foods (HR 2.39 CI 1.52-3.78) were more likely to be discharged compared to patient who received clear liquid diet (HR 1.26 CI 1.52-3.78) or nils per os (reference group). This relation remained statistically significant after correction for disease severity, treatment and complications.

CONCLUSION

Physicians appeared to prefer a more restrictive diet with increasing temperature at presentation. Notably, dietary restrictions prolong hospital stay.

Guidelines of diagnostics and treatment of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

The incidence of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (ACD) is increasing in the Western world. To improve the quality of patient care, a guideline for diagnosis and treatment of diverticulitis is needed.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary working group, representing experts of relevant specialties, was involved in the guideline development. A systematic literature search was conducted to collect scientific evidence on epidemiology, classification, diagnostics and treatment of diverticulitis. Literature was assessed using the classification system according to an evidence-based guideline development method, and levels of evidence of the conclusions were assigned to each topic. Final recommendations were given, taking into account the level of evidence of the conclusions and other relevant considerations such as patient preferences, costs and availability of facilities.

RESULTS

The natural history of diverticulitis is usually mild and treatment is mostly conservative. Although younger patients have a higher risk of recurrent disease, a higher risk of complications compared to older patients was not found. In general, the clinical diagnosis of ACD is not accurate enough and therefore imaging is indicated. The triad of pain in the lower left abdomen on physical examination, the absence of vomiting and a C-reactive protein >50 mg/l has a high predictive value to diagnose ACD. If this triad is present and there are no signs of complicated disease, patients may be withheld from further imaging. If imaging is indicated, conditional computed tomography, only after a negative or inconclusive ultrasound, gives the best results. There is no indication for routine endoscopic examination after an episode of diverticulitis. There is no evidence for the routine administration of antibiotics in patients with clinically mild uncomplicated diverticulitis. Treatment of pericolic or pelvic abscesses can initially be treated with antibiotic therapy or combined with percutaneous drainage. If this treatment fails, surgical drainage is required. Patients with a perforated ACD resulting in peritonitis should undergo an emergency operation. There is an ongoing debate about the optimal surgical strategy.

CONCLUSION

Scientific evidence is scarce for some aspects of ACD treatment (e.g. natural history of ACD, ACD in special patient groups, prevention of ACD, treatment of uncomplicated ACD and medical treatment of recurrent ACD), leading to treatment being guided by the surgeon's personal preference. Other aspects of the management of patients with ACD have been more thoroughly researched (e.g. imaging techniques, treatment of complicated ACD and elective surgery of ACD). This guideline of the diagnostics and treatment of ACD can be used as a reference for clinicians who treat patients with ACD.

Appendicitis/diverticulitis: diagnostics and conservative treatment

Appendicitis and diverticulitis are very common entities that show some similarities in diagnosis and course of disease. Both are widely believed to be simple clinical diagnoses, which is in contrast to scientific evidence. An accurate diagnosis has to describe not only the initial detection, but particularly the severity of the disease. It is based mainly on cross-sectional imaging by ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT). Appendectomy is the standard treatment for acute appendicitis and is mandatory in complicated cases. Antibiotic therapy is similarly effective in uncomplicated appendicitis, but long-term results are not sufficiently known. Treatment of diverticulitis is related to the disease status. Complications such as perforation and bleeding require intervention. Uncomplicated diverticulitis as graded by US or CT are subject to conservative management, in the form of outpatient or hospital care. It is an unresolved debate as to whether antibiotic treatment offers benefits. Mesalazine seems at least to improve pain. The real challenge is treatment of recurrent diverticulitis. Lifestyle measures such as nutritional habits and physical activity are found to influence diverticular disease. Besides immunosuppression, obesity is a significant risk factor for complicated diverticulitis. Whether any medication such as chronic antibiotics, probiotics or mesalazine offers benefits is unclear. The indication for sigmoid resection has changed; it is no longer given by the number of attacks, but rather by structural changes as depicted by cross-sectional imaging.