title: Current management of acute diverticulitis: a survey of Australasian surgeons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the current practice and degree of consensus amongst Australasian surgeons regarding non-surgical management of acute diverticulitis (AD) and to determine whether newer approaches to management are being translated into practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was distributed to all Australasian colorectal surgeons and all general surgeons in the Auckland region. Responses were collected over two months and analysed to identify points of consensus and areas of significant difference in opinion between these groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses were received from a total of 99 of 200 (49.5%) colorectal surgeons, and 19 of 36 (52.7%) general surgeons. The Hinchey Classification was the most commonly used measure of disease severity, used by 67 (95.7%) colorectal surgeons and 12 (92.3%) general surgeons. There was lack of consensus around important aspects of AD management, including antibiotic therapy, and use and modality of follow-up imaging. Selective antibiotic therapy and use of anti-inflammatory medication as adjuncts to treatment were practised by a minority of those surveyed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Newer approaches to management were being utilised by some respondents. The lack of consensus regarding management of AD may be a consequence of a paucity of high-level evidence to support specific management approaches, particularly in patients with uncomplicated AD.
authors.forename: Rebekah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jaung
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rowbotham
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Auckland, New Zealand and Department of Surgery, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand. i.bissett@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bissett
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044362:Australasia; D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003107:Colorectal Surgery; D019468:Disease Management; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D013502:General Surgery; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal