title: Perforated colonic diverticulum in old age: surgical or medical management?
abstract: Perforation of a colonic diverticulum is a common surgical emergency particularly in older people. Surgical treatments result in the best outcomes for patients with good functional and physiological status, but for frailer patients there are minimally invasive and medical alternatives. This article considers the evidence for the different options.
authors.affiliation: The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Bournemouth, Dorset BH7 7DW.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whiteoak
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents