Surgical treatment of sigmoid diverticulitis—analysis of predictive risk factors for postoperative infections, surgical complications, and mortality

Abstract

Hinchey classification and intraoperative blood transfusion are independently associated with a worse perioperative outcome in patients undergoing surgery for sigmoid diverticular disease. While Hinchey classification cannot be influenced per se by the surgeon, outcome might be influenced by reducing the need for intraoperative blood transfusion.

Preoperative CT staging in sigmoid diverticulitis—does it correlate with intraoperative and histological findings?

“…Acquired diverticular disease of the colon has been estimated to occur in 30% of the population over the age of 45 with 10-25% of these individuals developing symptomatic diverticulitis [9,10]. Of the patients who develop symptomatic diverticulitis, 15-20% develops significant complications such as perforation, abscess, phlegmon, or obstruction [9,11,12].…”

Long-term outcome after conservative and surgical treatment of acute sigmoid diverticulitis

“…Acquired diverticular disease of the colon has been estimated to occur in 30% of the population over the age of 45 with 10-25% of these individuals developing symptomatic diverticulitis [15,16]. Fifteen percent to 20% of the patients with SD develop significant complications such as perforation, abscess, phlegmon, or obstruction [15,17,18].…”

Restoration of intestinal continuity after Hartmann's procedure—not a benign operation. Are there predictors for morbidity?

“…Sitges-Serra attested to the immunosuppressive effect of blood transfusion in patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery [26]. In a previous prospective study, we analyzed the postoperative course of patients who underwent surgery for sigmoid diverticular disease, finding blood transfusion to be a predictive risk factor for surgical infections, complications, and mortality [30]. The results of the present analysis are in agreement with those of our previous study and confirm that blood transfusion during or after surgery is a significant predictive risk factor for surgical infections, as well as complications and mortality.…”