title: [Laparoscopy in patients with colonic diverticulitis. Results of a prospectic data base].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic surgery in patients affected by colonic diverticulitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective database was established in 1998 at our department to evaluate the results of laparoscopic treatment for diverticular disease. Contraindications to laparoscopic approach were: intestinal obstruction, faecal peritonitis, previuos major abdominal operations, presence of abdominal mass. Parameters evaluated were: indications to operation, age, sex, weight, type of operation, associated operations, operation time, conversion rate, mortality, post-operative complications, postoperative hospital stay, return to normal bowel function, time of removing nasogastric tube and time of restarting oral feeding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 1998 to 2005, 109 patients operated for diverticular disease were registered. The operation was performed in 17 cases (15.5%) with open technique, in 20 cases (18.5%) throught video-assisted approach with extracorporeal anastomosis and in 72 cases (66%) with laparoscopic approach making intracorporeal anastomosis. The conversion rate was 10.8%. Mortality was 0%. In videolaparoscopic group mean operating time was 177 minutes, major complications were 4 (6.3%), minor complications were 6 (9.5%) and mean hospital stay was 7.8 days. In videoassisted group minor operation time was 158 minutes, complications were 9 (47.3%) and mean hospital stay was 10.1 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic approach to diverticular disease of the colon is, in selected cases, a safe, feasible and effective procedure.
authors.affiliation: Scuola di Specializzazione in Chirurgia Generale, Università degli Studi di Milano
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baldoli
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Musco
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scalambra
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balsamo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rebuffat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies