Laparoscopic Lavage in Complicated Diverticulitis with Colonic Perforation, Always Be Closing?

Laparoscopic lavage is seen as an acceptable alternative to colonic resection in selected patients with acute diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis. There is no consensus on what surgical technique should be used when performing this procedure. This case series describes the disease course of 3 patients with acute diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis treated with laparoscopic lavage and direct suturing of a colonic perforation. All patients (38- and 71-year-old males and a 44-year-old female) were seen in the emergency department due to acute lower abdominal pain. Clinical examination and laboratory and imaging studies were suggestive of perforated diverticular disease. Laparoscopic lavage with placement of drain(s) and direct suturing of a colonic perforation was performed. Postoperative treatment with intravenous antibiotics was continued for a variable term. Postoperative courses were uneventful. Patients were discharged on postoperative days 5, 5, and 7. At almost 1-year follow-up, all patients are in good clinical condition and have not had a recurrent episode of diverticulitis<i>.</i> Therefore, this case series shows promising results of laparoscopic lavage with direct suturing of colonic perforation in patients with diverticulitis with perforation and purulent peritonitis.

Laparoscopic Lavage in the Management of Hinchey III/IV Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis manifestations may cover a spectrum of mild local inflammation to diffuse feculent peritonitis. Up to 35% of patients presenting with diverticulitis will have purulent (Hinchey grade III) or feculent (Hinchey grade IV) contamination of the abdomen, with a high-associated morbidity and mortality. Surgical management may involve segmental resection with or without restoration of bowel continuity. However, emergency resection for diverticulitis can be associated with high mortality rates, as well as low stoma reversal rates at 1 year. Therefore, laparoscopic peritoneal lavage has been proposed for use in selected patients with purulent peritonitis. The topic of laparoscopic peritoneal lavage for the treatment of perforated diverticulitis in the literature has been controversial. Our review of the recent data show that laparoscopic lavage may be safe and feasible in select patients with similar rates of mortality and major morbidity. There is, however, a concern regarding an associated higher rate of postoperative abscess and early reintervention risk.

Surgical Treatment of Diverticulitis

Surgical evaluation and treatment is commonly required for the treatment of diverticulitis in both the acute and elective situations. This chapter discusses the surgical treatment of the clinically important manifestations of diverticular disease. Different options for surgical treatment are described for patients in both the urgent and elective settings, including technical aspects of these options. Current controversies are reviewed, including resection versus laparoscopic lavage for the treatment of purulent peritonitis, the use of gastrointestinal diversion in the surgical treatment of acute diverticulitis, and timing of operation for recurrent diverticulitis. This review contains 8 figures, 4 tables, and 67 references. Key Words: acute diverticulitis, complicated diverticulitis, diverticular disease, diverticulitis, diverticulosis, Hartmann procedure, laparoscopic lavage, sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis, uncomplicated diverticulitis