Diverticula, diverticulosis and diverticulitis of the colon

Summary Solitary diverticula, diverticulosis, and diverticulitis are defined and discussed as separate clinical entities. Diverticula of the “true” and “false” varieties are differentiated from each other with respect to their embryologic and physiopathologic characteristics. The diagnosis of diverticulosis and diverticulitis is discussed. The problem of colonic hemorrhage in the elderly patient with diverticulosis and hypertensive cardiovascular disease is presented. The cause of bleeding in diverticulosis and diverticulitis is discussed. A one-stage resection of the sigmoid flexure for diverticulitis is described and illustrated.