Surgical Management of Recurrent Uncomplicated Diverticulitis

Sigmoid diverticulitis represents a most common gastroenterological diagnosis in the western world. There has been a significant change in the management of recurrent uncomplicated diverticulitis in the last 10 to 15 years. The absolute number of previous episodes is not used as criteria to recommend surgery anymore. Young age is no longer considered to be an indication for more aggressive surgical treatment. It is accepted that subsequent episodes of diverticulitis are not significantly worse than the first episode. Laparoscopic surgery is now the standard of care for elective surgery for diverticulitis where expertise is available. There is a consensus that decision to perform sigmoid colectomy should be individualized, after careful risk benefit assessment.