Surgical Treatment of Diverticulitis: Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Resection Is Predominantly Used for Complex Cases and Is Associated With Increased Postoperative Complications and Prolonged Hospitalization.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Laparoscopic (LAP) colectomy is now the "gold" standard for diverticulitis; the role of hand-assisted LAP (HAL) and Open methods today is unclear. This study assessed the elective use of these methods for diverticulitis. Methods A retrospective review of demographic, comorbidity (Carlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]), resection type, and short-term outcomes was carried out. Results There were 125 (44.5%) LAP, 125 (44.5%) HAL, and 31 (11%) Open cases (overall N = 281). The mean age, body mass index, and percentage of high-risk patients (CCI score >2) of the HAL group were greater (P < .05) than the LAP group (vs Open, P = ns). The Open group's mean age and percent with CCI >2 was greater when compared with the LAP group (P < .05). More Open (P < .05) and HAL patients had complex disease (Open, 63%; HAL, 40%, LAP, 22%) and were diverted (Open, 35%; HAL, 10%; LAP, 3%). Time to bowel movement was not different; however, there was a stepwise increase in median length of stay (LOS; days) from the LAP (5 days) to HAL (6 days) to Open group (7 days) (P < .05 for all). The LAP complication rate (22.4%) was lower (P < .05) than the HAL (42.4%) or Open groups' (45.2%) rates. The LAP surgical site infection rate (5.6%) was lower (P < .05) than the HAL (12.8%) or Open groups (19.6%). Conclusion The HAL and Open groups had more high risk, complex disease, diverted, and older patients than the LAP group; likewise, the overall complication rate and LOS was higher in the HAL and Open groups. Use of HAL methods likely contributed to the high minimally invasive surgery utilization rate (89%).