J Korean Surg Soc.
2002 May;62(5):415-420.
Surgical Treatment of the Colonic Diverticulosis
- Affiliations
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- 1Colorectal Clinic, Department of Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. csyu@amc.seoul.kr
Abstract
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PURPOSE: In Asia including Korea, colonic diverticulosis is a relatively uncommon disease. Recently, the incidences of left colonic diverticulosis in Korea has been increasing, mainly due to a westernized diet and life-style. This study was performed to analyze the clinical manifestations and surgical outcomes of patients with colonic diverticulosis.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 39 patients with colonic diverticulosis who underwent surgery at Asan Medical Center during July 1989 and December 2001.
RESULTS
The male to female ratio was 30:9, and the mean age was 52 (26~78) years. The most prevalent age group was people in fifth decade (13 cases, 33%). Twenty-three cases (59%) were in the right colon, 14 cases (36%) in the left and 2 cases (5%) were bilateral. The relative incidence of left colonic diverticulosis was higher in the elderly patients group (>or=50 years old) (57% vs 15%; P=0.002). Of the three diagnostic tools, the barium enema showed a 63% accuracy, the colonofiberscopy 62% and the abdomen-pelvic CT scan 59%. Bowel perforation (19 cases, 49%) and recurrent abdominal pain (10 cases, 16%) were the common surgical indications. Among 11 cases with bowel perforation accompanying the left colonic diverticulosis, two cases (18%), which underwent one-stage operation, developed complications, while 3 cases (27%) among the other 9 that underwent multi-staged operations, did so.
CONCLUSION
The incidences of left colonic diverticulosis were relatively high (36%), especially in the elderly patients (P= 0.002). This study indicates that a tailored surgical procedure, depending on the severity of inflammation, is important in reducing postoperative complications.
