title: Observational study on preservation of the superior rectal artery in sigmoid resection for diverticular disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent investigations have shown improved patient reported outcome after preservation of the inferior mesenteric artery in sigmoid resection for diverticular disease. We report on our experience with preservation of the superior rectal artery (SRA).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an observational single center study in a high-volume, level II inner city hospital from 2006 to 2008. Inclusion criteria were all patients with diverticular disease. Exclusion criteria were stoma formation, cancer, and iatrogenic perforation. Patients were investigated in group A with preservation of the SRA, and group B ligation of the SRA. Outcomes assessed, included incidence of anastomotic breakdown, intraoperative complications, hospital stay, and risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient population included 259 patients, 46 patients were excluded, leaving 100 patients in group A and 113 patients in group B. Patients in both groups were comparable regarding age, gender, co-morbidities and stage of disease. Anastomotic breakdown occurred in one patient in group A and in eight patients in group B (p = 0.038). Incidence of intraoperative bleeding, wound dehiscence, and length of stay was increased in group B (p < 0.03; p < 0.04; p = 0.05). Obesity was an independent risk factor for anastomotic dehiscence in group B (p < 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data comprise the largest patient population reported so far on vascular preservation in surgery for diverticular disease. The results of this study support the establishment of evidence based recommendations on the level of dissection in diverticular disease. Specifically obese patients are at risk of anastomotic breakdown with ligation of the SRA.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, and Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, Saarland University Hospitals, Kirrberger Straße 100, 66421 Homburg, Saarland, Germany. Electronic address: dietmar.borchert@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Borchert
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine Werner-Forßmann Hospitals, Rudolf-Breitscheid-Straße 100, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schachtebeck
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral, Vascular and Pediatric Surgery, and Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, Saarland University Hospitals, Kirrberger Straße 100, 66421 Homburg, Saarland, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schoepe
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Sana Hospital Lichtenberg, Sana Hospitals Berlin-Brandenburg, Affiliated Teaching Hospital to the Charité, Fanningerstraße 32, 10365 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Federlein
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Sana Hospital Lichtenberg, Sana Hospitals Berlin-Brandenburg, Affiliated Teaching Hospital to the Charité, Fanningerstraße 32, 10365 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bunse
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Sana Hospital Lichtenberg, Sana Hospitals Berlin-Brandenburg, Affiliated Teaching Hospital to the Charité, Fanningerstraße 32, 10365 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gellert
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Immanuel Hospital Rüdersdorf, Seebad 82, 15562 Rüdersdorf, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burghardt
mesh_terms: D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D043963:Diverticulosis, Colonic / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D017537:Mesenteric Artery, Inferior / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Complications; Diverticular disease; Obesity; Outcome; Superior rectal artery