Diverticular Disease of the Colon

Abstract

Diverticulosis is a progressive disease. In diverticulitis of the colon the most striking alteration is not inflammatory change but muscular thickening. Formerly, surgical treatment was advised only if definite complications were present. It is now agreed that persistent symptoms or recurring attacks are indications for definitive surgical treatment. The ideal method is resection with primary end-to-end anastomosis during a quiescent period, but this approach may not be possible or even preferable.