Diverticular disease of the colon: surgical perspectives in the past decade.

Review of 475 cases of diverticular disease of the colon emphasized needs to stratify patients into clinical categories. Of 223 cases of diverticulosis coli, had significant colonic complaints which received no attention. Of 198 emergency admissions for acute diverticulitis, only 16 required emergency surgery. Resection in the face of serious peritonitis is not advisable. Twenty-seven elective resections gave excellent results. Three subtotal colectomies were successfully done for major bleeding. Final focus was on determination of therapy groups: medical, surgery advisable, and surgery inevitable.