Stoma reversal after Hartmann's procedure for acute diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: Hartmann's procedure is a treatment option for perforated acute diverticulitis, especially when organ dysfunction(s) are present. Its use has been criticized mostly out of fear of high permanent stoma rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of stoma reversal, reasons behind nonreversal, and safety of reversal surgery. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study of patients undergoing urgent Hartmann's procedure due to acute diverticulitis between the years 2006 and 2017 with follow-up until March 2021. RESULTS: A total of 3,319 episodes of diverticulitis in 2,932 patients were screened. The Hartmann's procedure was performed on 218 patients, of whom 157 (72%) had peritonitis (48 (22%) with organ dysfunction). At 2-years, 76 (34.9%) patients had died with stoma, 42 (19.3%) were alive with stoma, and 100 (45.9%) had undergone stoma reversal. The survival of patients with and without reversal were 100% and 42.7% at 1-year, 96.0% and 35.0% at 2-years and 88.9% and 20.7% at 5-years, respectively. The risk factors for nonreversal were old age, a need for outside assistance, low HElsinki Staging for Acute Diverticulitis stage, and higher C-reactive protein level upon hospital admission. The most common reasons for nonreversal in surviving patients were patient not willing to have the operation 18 (41%) and dementia 10 (23%). Twelve (12%) patients had a major complication after reversal (Clavien-Dindo IIIb-IV) and 90-day mortality after reversal was 0%. CONCLUSION: After the Hartmann's procedure for acute diverticulitis, one-third died, half underwent stoma reversal, and one-fifth did not undergo stoma reversal within 2 years. Patients who survive with stoma are either not willing to have reversal or have severe comorbidities excluding elective surgery. The Hartmann's procedure remains a viable option for high-risk patients with perforated acute diverticulitis.

Symptomatic Treatment for Uncomplicated Acute Diverticulitis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Even though evidence for nonantibiotic treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis exists, it has not gained widespread adoption. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective single-arm study was to analyze the safety and efficacy of symptomatic (nonantibiotic) treatment for uncomplicated diverticulitis during a 30-day follow-up period. DESIGN: This study is a single-arm prospective trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02219698). SETTINGS: This study was performed at an academic teaching hospital functioning as both a tertiary and secondary care referral center. PATIENTS: Patients, who had CT-verified uncomplicated acute colonic diverticulitis (including diverticulitis with pericolic air), were evaluated for the study. Patients with ongoing antibiotic therapy, immunosuppression, suspicion of peritonitis, organ dysfunction, pregnancy, or other infections requiring antibiotics were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Symptomatic in- or outpatient treatment consisted of mild analgesics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or paracetamol). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of complicated diverticulitis was the primary outcome. RESULTS: Overall, 161 patients were included in the study, and 153 (95%) completed the 30-day follow-up. Four (3%) of these patients were misdiagnosed (abscess in the initial CT scan). A total of 14 (9%) patients had pericolic air. Altogether, 140 (87%) patients were treated as outpatients, and 4 (3%) of them were admitted to the hospital during the follow-up. None of the patients developed complicated diverticulitis or required surgery, but, 2 days (median) after inclusion, antibiotics were given to 14 (9%, 6 orally, 8 intravenously) patients. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by the lack of a comparison group and by the relatively short follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis without antibiotics is safe and effective.