Anastomotic leak in patients with acute complicated diverticulitis undergoing primary anastomosis: risk factors and the role of diverting loop ileostomy.

Background: Recent data has suggested that primary anastomosis (PA), with or without a diverting loop ileostomy (DLI), is a safe option for the treatment of acute complicated diverticulitis. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors associated with anastomotic leak in patients who underwent a sigmoid colectomy with PA and to determine whether a DLI was protective against a clinically significant anastomotic leak.

Methods: Patients with acute complicated diverticulitis who underwent a laparoscopic or open sigmoid colectomy with PA, with or without a DLI, were identified in the NSQIP PUF(2016-2017).