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DIVERTICULOSIS AND DIVERTICULITIS. 1
Author(s) -
Poate Hugh R. G.
Publication year - 1941
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1941.tb02867.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diverticulitis , diverticulosis , etiology , weakness , surgery , iliac fossa , general surgery
S ummary .1. Diverticula of the colon are of common occurrence and, being' narrow‐necked thin‐walled herniae of mucous membrane covered by peritoneum beneath which there may be variable amounts of fat, they are liable to cause various troubles if inflammation sets in. 2. The aetiology of the condition is probably a summation of several factors acting on an area of bowel wall where some muscular weakness has developed in relation to the site of entry of the blood vessels. 3. The principal factors precipitating acute diverticulitis include straining at stool, the use of harsh cathartics, enemata given with excessive pressure and strenuous exertion. 4. The most common cause of pain in the left iliac fossa in patients over forty years of age is diverticulitis of one form or another. 5. The younger the patients, the more likely are they to develop acute surgical complications which have a high mortality if subjected to immediate operation. 6. The main thing to remember in dealing with acute diverticulitis is to display a watchful masterly inactivity, and if any surgical interference is demanded, to do as little as possible. 7. The incidence of carcinoma with diverticulitis is incidental rather than actual, but the chronic sclerosing diverticulitis may be difficult to differentiate clinically from carcinoma.