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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2013; 19(39): 6613-6617
Published online Oct 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i39.6613
Published online Oct 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i39.6613
Colonic diverticulitis with comorbid diseases may require elective colectomy
Kevin CW Hsiao, Chang-Chieh Wu, Shu-Wen Jao, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Joseph G Wann, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Chien-Sheng Lin, Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Cheng Hsin Rehabilitation Medical Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan
Ming-Hsin Yang, Department of Emergency, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Author contributions: Hsiao KCW, Wann JG, Lin CS, Wu CC, Jao SW, Yang MH perform the research; Hsiao KCW, Yang MH analyzed the data and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Min-Hsin Yang, MD, Department of Emergency, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan. dr.hsiao@msa.hinet.net
Telephone: +886-2-87923311 Fax: +886-2-87927411
Received: April 27, 2013
Revised: September 11, 2013
Accepted: September 16, 2013
Published online: October 21, 2013
Revised: September 11, 2013
Accepted: September 16, 2013
Published online: October 21, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Colonic diverticulitis can usually be managed with conservative treatment. However, in select groups of patients with recurrent persistent infection causing life-threatening septic shock, emergent and risky surgical management may be necessary. Elective colectomy for diverticulitis has been discussed in many reports. However, the criteria for elective surgery for colonic diverticulitis still remain controversial. Our data indicate that diverticulitis with comorbid disease increases the operative risk in urgent surgery. Therefore, if a patient has diverticulitis with comorbid disease, an elective colectomy may prevent the consequences of an urgent operation.