Open AccessTreatment of Perforated Diverticulitis with Generalized Peritonitis: Past, Present, and Future
Author(s) -
Vermeulen Jefrey,
Lange Johan F.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
world journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1432-2323
pISSN - 0364-2313
DOI - 10.1007/s00268-009-0372-0
Subject(s) - diverticulitis , medicine , peritonitis , abdominal surgery , general surgery , cardiothoracic surgery , vascular surgery , surgery , cardiac surgery
Background The supposed optimal treatment of perforated diverticulitis with generalized peritonitis has changed several times during the last century, but at present is still unclear. Methods/results The first cases of complicated perforated diverticulitis of the colon were reported in the beginning of the twentieth century. At that time the first therapeutic guidelines were postulated in which an initial nonresectional procedure was provided to be the safest plan of management. After many years in which resection had become standard practice, today, one century later, again (laparoscopic) nonresectional surgery is presented as a safe and promising alternative in treatment of complicated perforated diverticulitis. The question rises what had happened to close the circle? Conclusions This paper includes a historic summary of changing patterns in surgical strategies in perforated diverticulitis complicated by generalized peritonitis.