Although morbidity and the need for revisional surgery are high, the artificial bowel sphincter can improve anal incontinence and quality of life in patients with severe fecal incontinence.

APC mutations can be detected in fecal DNA from patients with relatively early colorectal tumors. This feasibility study suggests a new approach for the early detection of colorectal neoplasms.

Although diverticulitis recurrence is common following an initial attack that has been managed medically, complicated recurrence is uncommon. Patients who present with a family history of diverticulitis, long segment of involved colon, and/or retroperitoneal abscess are at higher risk for recurrent disease. Patients who present with right-sided diverticulitis are at low risk for recurrent disease. These findings should be taken into consideration when counseling patients regarding the potential benefits of prophylactic colectomy.

No abstract

Laparoscopic resection in patients with chronic diverticulitis is safe, with faster recovery and shorter hospital stay compared with conventional open surgery. Higher cost of operating room usage time makes the laparoscopic technique difficult to justify economically. Simplification of operating room use and better case selection may improve cost-effectiveness of the laparoscopic approach.