title: Comparative study of the clinical features and treatment for right and left colonic diverticulitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Colonic diverticulitis is an uncommon disease in Korea, but the incidence of the disease is increasing. The right colon is the more preferred site for diverticulitis in Korea, but the incidence of left diverticulitis is increasing. Therefore, comparing the clinical features and treatments for right diverticulitis with those for left diverticulitis may help us to treat the disease more properly.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed retrospectively by reviewing the medical records of 96 patients with colonic diverticulitis, in whom either conservative or operative treatments were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six patients had right diverticulitis (RD), and 10 patients had left diverticulitis (LD). The mean age of the patients was older for LD. Sixteen patients (18.6%) with RD had complications, and 7 patients (8.1%) underwent operations. On the other hand, 4 patients (40%) with LD had complications, and 3 patients (30%) underwent operations. The rates of complications and operations among old-aged patients were higher. The operations for 7 patients with RD who underwent surgery were 6 ileocecectomies and 1 diverticulectomy. On the other hand, the operations for the 3 patients with LD who underwent surgery were 2 resections and anastomoses and 1 diverticulectomy. The reasons for the operations were abscess formation, recurrence, perforation, and development of generalized peritonitis without response to conservative treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of LD is lower than that of RD in Korea, but the rate of complications and operations seems higher in LD. Therefore, patients who complain of left lower abdominal pain need to be thoroughly examined for LD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chang Gyoo
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.forename: Jin Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Seok Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Young Taek
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Kho
authors.forename: Dong Yup
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Seo