Developmental Pattern and Treatment in Colon Diverticular Disease

Moon, Byung Chul; Kim, Han Sun

Abstract

PURPOSE: Colon diverticula has continuously increased in Korea. This study is to identify the changes in the developmental patterns of colon diverticula and in the methods of treatment.
RESULTS
A total of 66 patients who were diagnosed colon diverticular disease and hospitalized at Red Cross Hospital from April 1994 to March 2005 were enrolled. This retrospective assessment was performed by analyzing the hospital records of clinical characteristics such as demographics (age, sex), physical findings, distribution of diverticula, diagnosis methods, applicable treatments depending on severity and the stage of the disease, and complications and recurrences with whether the patient underwent a emergency or an elective operation.
RESULTS
The median age was 51.8 years, with 37 males and 29 females. Of the 66 cases, right-side colon diverticula was found in 47 cases, and left side in 15 cases. Transverse and descending colon diverticula occurred concurrently in 2 cases, with 2 entire colon cases. The median number of diverticula per patient was 4.6. Of the 29 operation cases, a right colectomy was done in 10 along with 6 appendectomy and diverticulectomy cases. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients, of these 6 occurred in patients who had undergone an emergency operation, and 1 in a patients who had undergone an elective operation; 6 in right colon diverticular disease, and 1 in left color diverticular disease.
CONCLUSIONS
Colon diverticular disease has increased with noticeable increases in left side and both-sides diseases. A one-stage operation is mainly performed for surgical treatment while fewer undergo a two-stage operation. Post-operative complications occurred in 7 cases. Exact preoperative diagnosis and an elective operation that allows bowel preparation are regarded as more crucial factors than the extension of the operation in decreasing the developmental rate and the severity of postoperative complications.