Laparoscopic Surgery for Acute Right-colon Diverticulitis: Video Vignette and Systematic Review With Meta-analysis of Current Evidence of Minimally Invasive Versus Conventional Surgery

BACKGROUND

Over the last decade, there has been growing diffusion of minimally invasive surgery in the setting of abdominal emergencies. However, right-colon diverticulitis is still mainly approached by conventional celiotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A video vignette is presented showing the details of an emergent laparoscopic right colectomy as performed to treat a 59-year-old woman who presented with clinical signs of peritonitis, and radiologic findings suggestive of acute right-colon diverticulitis complicated by perforation of the hepatic flexure and periduodenal abscess. We also aimed to evaluate the relative outcomes of laparoscopic versus conventional surgery by meta-analyzing the currently available comparative evidence on the argument.

RESULTS

A total of 2848 patients were included in the analysis, of which 979 patients received minimally invasive surgery and 1869 had conventional surgery. Laparoscopic surgery had a longer operating time and resulted in an abbreviated hospital stay. Overall, patients receiving laparoscopy had significantly lower morbidity than those whose surgery was undertaken by laparotomy, while there was no statistically significant difference in terms of postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the existing literature, minimally invasive surgery improves the postoperative outcomes of patients receiving surgery for right-sided colonic diverticulitis.

Surgical resection does not avoid the risk of diverticulitis recurrence-a systematic review of risk factors

PURPOSE

Fifteen percent of patients undergoing elective sigmoidectomy will present a diverticulitis recurrence, which is associated with significant costs and morbidity. We aimed to systematically review the risk factors associated with recurrence after elective sigmoidectomy.

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched for studies published until May 1, 2020. Original studies were included if (i) they included patients undergoing sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease, (ii) they reported postoperative recurrent diverticulitis, and (iii) they analyzed ≥ 1 variable associated with recurrence. The primary outcome was the risk factors for recurrence of diverticulitis after sigmoidectomy.

RESULTS

From the 1463 studies initially screened, six studies were included. From the 1062 patients included, 62 patients recurred (5.8%), and six variables were associated with recurrence. Two were preoperative: age (HR = 0.96, p = 0.02) and irritable bowel syndrome (33.3% with recurrence versus 12.1% without recurrence, p = 0.02). Two were operative factors: uncomplicated recurrent diverticulitis as indication for surgery (73.3% with recurrence versus 49.9% without recurrence, p = 0.049) and anastomotic level (colorectal: HR = 11.4, p = 0.02, or colosigmoid: OR = 4, p = 0.033). Two were postoperative variables: the absence of active diverticulitis on pathology (39.6% with recurrence versus 26.6% without recurrence) and persistence of postoperative pain (HR = 4.8, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Identification of preoperative variables that predict the occurrence of diverticulitis recurrence should help surgical decision-making for elective sigmoidectomy, while peri- and postoperative factors should be taken into account for optimal patient follow-up.

Laparoscopic diverticulectomy versus non-operative treatment for uncomplicated right colonic diverticulitis

BACKGROUND

Right-sided colonic diverticulitis (RCD) is an Asian-centric disease. The optimal treatment for acute uncomplicated RCD remains a controversial area. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic diverticulectomy (LD) with non-operative treatment (NT) in patients with uncomplicated RCD.

METHODS

A single-center, prospective, non-randomized controlled study ran from 2009 to 2017. Patients with first episode of uncomplicated RCD were divided into two treatment arms, LD or NT with bowel rest and broad-spectrum antibiotics, based on their choice. The primary outcome was recurrent diverticulitis during follow-up. Secondary outcomes were treatment success and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 155 patients were enrolled, with 81 in the NT arm and 74 in the LD arm. Mean follow-up was 49 months. The treatment success rate for the NT arm was 90.1% and for the LD arm, 86.5% (P = 0.480). There was no significant difference in the complication rate between the LD arm, 12.2% and the NT arm, 8.6% (P = 0.472). LD was better than NT in preventing recurrent diverticulitis. Nine patients in the NT arm and none in the LD arm had recurrence (P = 0.003). The number needed to treat to prevent recurrence was nine.

CONCLUSION

Non-operative management with bowel rest and antibiotics for uncomplicated RCD is safe and effective. Alternatively, LD is also safe and effective, with the added benefit of preventing recurrences. While both treatments could be reasonably offered for uncomplicated RCD, LD is an appealing option when recurrence is a concern.

Right-sided acute diverticulitis: A single Western center experience

INTRODUCTION

Right sided diverticular disease is a rare condition in Western countries whereas is common amongst Asian population. The aim of this study is to evaluate options and outcomes for the treatment of right colonic diverticulitis.

METHOD

We included only patients undergoing surgery with right colon diverticulitis (RCD) proven at histological specimen examination from September 2011 to December 2016.

RESULTS

We performed 18 operations for RCD. Age was lower compared to left sided disease (49 ± 16 vs 67 ± 14; P < 0.001). Three patients were Asian (16.7%). RCD was diagnosed preoperatively in 8 cases (44.4%), whereas appendicitis was suspected in 9 cases (50%) and neoplasm in one (5.6%). We performed resection with anastomosis in 13 patients (72.2%) and in 5 cases we performed a diverticulectomy. Laparoscopy was performed in 14 cases (77.8%). Postoperative morbidity occurred in 3 patients (16.7%; grade 2 or 3a according to Clavien-Dindo) with no mortality. No postoperative events occured after diverticulectomy with shorter hospital stay (4 ± 1.5 vs 11 ± 13; P = 0.022), as no recurrence or need for elective surgery after a mean follow-up of 20 months.

CONCLUSION

RCD is a rare but not irrelevant condition. Minimally invasive surgery is often feasible and complication rate is low. In selected patients, diverticulectomy can be a valid alternative to treat this condition providing improved postoperative results.

Management of Colonic Diverticulitis Tailored to Location and Severity: Comparison of the Right and the Left Colon

Purpose

This study assessed optimal management of colonic diverticulitis as functions of disease location and severity and factors associated with complicated diverticulitis.

Methods

This retrospective review analyzed 202 patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2014 at Chonbuk National University Hospital, South Korea, with colonic diverticulitis by using abdominopelvic computed tomography. Diverticulitis location was determined, and disease severity was categorized using the modified Hinchey classification.

Results

Patients included 108 males (53.5%) and 94 females (46.5%); of these, 167 patients (82.7%) were diagnosed with right-sided and 35 (17.3%) with left-sided colonic diverticulitis. Of the 167 patients with right-sided colonic diverticulitis, 12 (7.2%) had complicated and 155 (92.8%) had uncomplicated diverticulitis; of these, 157 patients (94.0%) were successfully managed conservatively. Of the 35 patients with left-sided colonic diverticulitis, 23 (65.7%) had complicated and 12 (34.3%) had uncomplicated diverticulitis; of these, 23 patients (65.7%) were managed surgically. Among patients with right-sided diverticulitis, those with complicated disease were significantly older (54.3 ± 12.7 years vs. 42.5 ± 13.4 years, P = 0.004) and more likely to be smokers (66.7% vs. 32.9%, P = 0.027) than those with uncomplicated disease. However, among patients with left-sided diverticulitis, those with complicated disease had significantly lower body mass index (BMI; 21.9 ± 4.7 kg/m² vs. 25.8 ± 4.3 kg/m², P = 0.021) than those with uncomplicated disease.

Conclusion

Conservative management may be effective in patients with right-sided diverticulitis and patients with uncomplicated left-sided colonic diverticulitis. Surgical management may be required for patients with complicated left-sided diverticulitis. Factors associated with complicated diverticulitis include older age, smoking and lower BMI.

Diagnosis and management of right colonic diverticular disease: A review

The aim of this narrative review is to define the clinical-pathological characteristics and to clarify the management of right colonic diverticular disease. It is rare in Europe, USA and Australia and more common in Asia. In the recent years its incidence has increased in the West, with various distributions among populations. Many studies have reported that it is difficult to differentiate the presenting symptoms of this disease from those of appendicitis before surgery, because the signs and symptoms are similar, so misdiagnosis is not infrequent. With accurate imaging studies it is possible to reach a precise preoperative diagnosis, in order to assess an accurate treatment strategy. Currently the management of this disease is not well defined, no clear guidelines have been proposed and it is not known whether the guidelines for left colonic diverticular disease can also be applied for it. Several authors have stated that conservative management is the best approach, even in case of recurrence, and surgery should be indicated in selected cases.

Right-Sided Diverticulitis Requiring Colectomy: an Evolving Demographic? A Review of Surgical Outcomes from the National Inpatient Sample Database

INTRODUCTION

There remains a paucity of recent data on right-sided colonic diverticulitis, especially those undergoing colectomy. We sought to describe the clinical features of patients undergoing both a laparoscopic and open surgery for right-sided diverticulitis.

METHODS

This study is a review of all cases of a right colectomy or ileocecectomy for diverticulitis from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2006 to 2012. Demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative outcomes were identified for all cases. A comparative analysis of a laparoscopic versus open approach was performed.

RESULTS

We identified 2233 admissions (laparoscopic = 592; open = 1641) in the NIS database. The majority of cases were Caucasian (67 %), with 6 % of NIS cases identified as Asian/Pacific Islander. The overall morbidity and in-hospital mortality rates were 24 and 2.7 %, respectively. The conversion rate from a laparoscopic to open procedure was 34 %. Postoperative complications were greater in the open versus laparoscopic cohorts (25 vs. 19 %, p < 0.01), with pulmonary complications as the highest (7.0 vs. 1.7 %; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This investigation represents one of the largest cohorts of colon resections to treat right-sided diverticulitis in the USA. In this series, right-sided diverticulitis undergoing surgery occurred most commonly in the Caucasian population and is most often approached via an open surgical technique; however, laparoscopy is a safe and feasible option.

Prediction and management of recurrent right colon diverticulitis

PURPOSE

While the incidence of right colonic diverticulitis (RCD) is rare in Western countries, the right colon is the most common site of diverticulitis in Asian countries. However, its recurrent pattern and management were rarely studied. This study was designed to elucidate the pattern of recurrence in RCD.

METHODS

Of the 154 patients admitted as right colonic diverticulitis between February 2004 and March 2012, 104 patients were enrolled, prospectively. The recurrence rate, size, multiplicity, location, diagnostic criteria score, and predisposing factors were evaluated based on Hinchey's classification of diverticulitis.

RESULTS

There were 104 patients with right colonic diverticulitis in this study, and 20 patients (19.2 %) recurred after medical treatment. When the diverticula were not located in the right colon, the recurrence rate was significantly higher than the diverticula located only in the right colon (p = 0.004). The recurrence rate of diverticulitis for a single diverticulum was significantly lower than that for multiple diverticula (p = 0.02). Of the 20 patients with recurrence, 1 (5 %) patient underwent laparoscopic diverticulectomy due to a misdiagnosis of diverticulitis as appendicitis. The remaining 19 patients (95 %) received nonoperative management and recovered without any sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence rate was 19.2 %, and the predisposing factors were the location of diverticula and the multiplicity of primary diverticula. The re-recurrence rate of recurred patients was 26.3 %. The recurred lesions were controlled simply by nonoperative management. Elective surgery was also a treatment option.

Right colonic diverticulitis

Although right colonic diverticultis (RCD) has been reported to be a rare disease in Western countries, RCD is a common diagnosis, with an incidence per 2.9-17 case of appendicitis, in Korea. Many Western studies have reported that it is difficult to differentiate the presenting symptoms of RCD from those of appendicitis before surgery because the signs and symptoms are similar. However, performing a computed tomography scan after the application of the diagnostic criteria for RCD has increased the preoperative RCD diagnostic rate. Treatment strategies have been difficult to define for this condition due to its low preoperative diagnosis rate. However, recent reports have shown that conservative medical treatment of uncomplicated RCD can be recommended and that such treatment is effective due to the benign and self-limited natural history of RCD. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the controversies surrounding RCD management.