title: [Timing and results of the surgical treatment of the diverticular disease of the colon].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate retrospectively the outcome of the curative open and laparoscopic surgical approach to the diverticular disease according to timed steps based on the pathologic stage.
  From 1989 83 out of 242 outpatients underwent surgery in emergency or after medical failure and at least two acute attacks requiring hospital admittance, or complicated diverticulitis. Modified Hinchey classification staged the disease. Clinic and instrumental criteria, surgical procedures, early and late complications were statistically evaluated (Students t-test and exact Fischer test, p < 0.05) in comparison with the different steps of therapeutic strategy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty nine patients were classified as Hinchey 0, 26 as I, 14 as II, 11 as III, 3 as IV. Clinical characteristics of the lap and open groups overlapped, with higher rate of earlier age in first and advanced stages in the second group. 16 patients (19.3%) underwent surgery at the first attack in emergency or in delayed emergency (5 TC-guided drainages). 30 open and 53 lap procedures were done: 21 two-stage: 18 primary resections + ileostomy and 3 Hartmann; 61 single stage: 49 sigmoidectomy, 12 left colectomy. 4 conversions (7.5%), 12 early (14.5%) and 10 late (12.1%) complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complications rate was higher in the open group including more advanced stages. Elective surgery performed following conservative therapy, 4 weeks from the first acute attack in younger people (age < 55yrs.) and after two attacks in elder (age > 55yrs.) showed a significant lower complications' incidence (p < 0.05) compared to the 8 weeks delayed operations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgery of diverticulitis must follow standardized criteria. The laparoscopic approach could be performed in more severe stages, provided that conditions of delayed emergency were achieved.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgia Riabilitativa Gastrointestinale, Dipartimento di Patologia Sistematica, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Napoli. ferulano@unina.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Ferulano
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dilillo
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Ambra
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saviano
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brunaccino
authors.forename: Ruggero
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lionetti
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fico
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000601:surgery; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008795:Metronidazole