Diverticulosis (cont.)
Surgery for diverticulitis
Diverticulitis that does not respond to medical treatment requires surgical
intervention. Surgery usually involves drainage of any collections of pus and
resection (surgical removal) of that segment of the colon containing the diverticuli, usually the
sigmoid colon. Therefore, surgical removal of the bleeding diverticula is
necessary for those with persistent bleeding. In patients needing surgery to
stop persistent bleeding, exact localization becomes crucial to guide the
surgeon.
Sometimes, diverticula can erode into the adjacent bladder, causing
severe recurrent urine infection and passage of gas during urination. This
situation also requires surgery.
Sometimes, surgery may be suggested for
patients with frequent, recurrent attacks of diverticulitis leading to multiple
courses of antibiotics, hospitalizations, and days lost from work. During surgery, the goal is to remove all, or almost all, of the colon containing diverticula in order to prevent future episodes of diverticulitis. There are few long-term consequences of resection of the sigmoid colon for diverticulitis, and the surgery often can be done laparoscopically, which limits post operative pain and time for recovery.
What can be done to prevent diverticular disease?
Once
formed, diverticula are permanent. No treatment has been found to
prevent
complications of diverticular disease.
Diets high in fiber
increases stool
bulk and prevents constipation, and theoretically may help
prevent further
diverticular formation or worsening of the diverticular
condition. Some
doctors recommend avoiding nuts, corn, and seeds which can plug
diverticular
openings and cause diverticulitis. Whether avoidance of such
foods is
beneficial is unclear.
Patients with known diverticular disease
who develop
unexplained fever, chills or abdominal pain should notify their
doctor
because of the possibility of the complication of diverticulitis.
A better
understanding of the way diverticula form and become infected
will hopefully
lead to discovery of more effective ways to manage these common
conditions.
Next: Diverticulitis At A Glance »
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