439 Conservative Versus Surgical Management of Complicated Diverticulitis - A Retrospective Study of Long-Term Outcomes

Management of complicated diverticulitis has shifted towards a conservative approach over time. This study evaluates the feasibility and long-term outcomes of conservative management. Method We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of patients managed with perforated colonic diverticulitis from 2013-2017. Results Seventy-three (73) patients were included with a male to female ratio of 1:2. Thirty-one (31) underwent Hartmann’s procedure (Group A) and 42 patients were managed with antibiotics +/- radiological drainage (Group B). Mean follow-up was 64.9 months (range 3-7 years). CT Grade 3 and 4 disease was observed in 64.5% and 40.4% of Group A and Group B patients, respectively. During follow-up, 9 (21.4%) Group B patients required Hartmann’s. Group A had longer median length of stay compared to Group B (25.1 vs 9.2 days). Post-operative complications occurred in 80.6% with 40% being Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher in group A. Stoma reversal was performed in 8 patients (25.8%). Conclusions In carefully selected cases, complicated diverticulitis including CT grade 3 and 4 disease, can be managed conservatively with acceptable recurrence rates (16.7% at 30 days, 4.8% at 90 days, 19.0% at 5 years). Surgical intervention on the other hand, carries high post-operative complication rates and low stoma reversal rates.