title: Conservative approach is feasible in the management of acute diverticulitis of the right colon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute diverticulitis of the caecum and ascending colon is uncommon. Controversies abound as regards the optimal surgical treatment, ranging from appendectomy, diverticulectomy to right hemicolectomy. The aim of the present paper was to review treatment strategy followed by a critical appraisal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case notes of 30 patients with acute diverticulitis of the right colon who were treated at the United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong from 1992 to 1998 were systematically reviewed. The data were subjected to statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 34 years, with a male:female ratio of 1:1.15. All patients presented with acute right lower abdominal pain and localized rebound tenderness. All were diagnosed preoperatively as having appendicitis. The mean duration of symptoms was 2 days (range: 1-6 days). Two treatment groups were identified. Group A (n = 16; 53%) received appendicectomy alone, while group B (n = 14; 47%) underwent diverticulectomy in addition to appendicectomy, including one patient with perforated diverticulitis. Overall, there was no procedure-related morbidity or mortality. Both groups received a similar duration of broad-spectrum antibiotics. All the patients were interviewed by phone after operation to detect any recurrence of symptoms, with a median follow-up interval of 34 months (range: 11-78 months). There was no recurrence of symptoms in group A, which received appendicectomy and antibiotics. The only difference was operative time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For non-perforated diverticulitis of the right colon, appendicectomy and intravenous antibiotics without diverticulectomy is the preferred treatment strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kwok
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents