Laparoscopic sigmoid resection for acute and chronic diverticulitis. An outcomes comparison with laparoscopic resection for nondiverticular disease.

Abstract

Sigmoid diverticulitis is a common benign condition; however, cases of acute and chronic diverticulitis may be difficult for the surgeon to treat. We designed a study to compare the outcomes of patients who undergo laparoscopic resections for sigmoid diverticulitis with those who have similar resections for other indications. From a prospectively accumulated database of 397 consecutive laparoscopic colorectal procedures performed by three surgeons, we reviewed the outcomes of 178 patients who underwent laparoscopic sigmoid resections with primary anastomosis. Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomies or anterior resections were performed in 22 patients with acute diverticulitis (AD), 70 patients with chronic diverticulitis (CD), and 86 patients with nondiverticular disease (ND). Patients with ND were significantly older than those with AD or CD (67 +/- 14 year versus 55 +/- 13 year, 55 +/- 12 year, p < 0.05). Conversion to open surgery was required in three AD patients (14%), three CD patients (4%), and 17 ND patients (20%) (chi2 = 8.23, p = 0.016). In cases completed laparoscopically, there was no significant difference in median operative time (AD, 165 min; CD, 150 min; ND, 165 min), proportion of patients with intraoperative complications (AD, one; CD, six; ND, one), or postoperative complications (AD, four; CD, 13; ND, 11). The occurrence of a postoperative complication significantly prolonged median time to full diet (4 days vs 3 days, p < 0.001) and discharge (9 days vs 5 days, p < 0.001) but not return to normal activity (16 days vs 15 days). In this study, patients who underwent laparoscopic sigmoid colectomies and anterior resections had similar outcomes regardless of diagnosis. This finding substantiates our view that laparoscopic resections for diverticulitis can be performed safely and with the same benefits as resections for other indications.