Poster Marti - Neiger 2006

Follow-up after surgery for diverticulitis
Ida Montali, Marc Olivier Guenin, Markus Von Flüe, Christoph Ackermann
Department of Surgery St Claraspital, Basle Switzerland

Background: the rate of recurrent diverticulitis after colonic resection can range between 5-10%. The most important difference in the studies was the diagnostic tool used to detect recurrence.
In addition to the patients with recurrent postoperative diverticulitis there are many patients complainig about persistent abdominal pain.

Methods: patients with colonic resection for diverticulitis were followed up with a questionnaire. We analized the surgical technique and the differentiated the diagnostic method used.

Results: four-hundred-sixty-four (57%) of 864 patients operated on for diverticulitis were available for follow – up. Mean follow-up time was 8.5 years (5-17). The overall recurrence rate was 15.5%, most patients had a clinical diagnosis (12.5%). In the patients with a colorectal anastomosis 8.2% developed a recurrence and 19.3% in those with a colo-sigmoid anastomosis (p=0016). Persistent postoperative abdominal pain was present in 9.6% of followed patients.

Conclusions: the rate of postoperative recurrent diverticulitis depends on its definition. Patients should be informed about the possibility persisting postoperative abdominal pain. The importance of a colo-rectal anastomosis is confirmed by our data.