High-fibre diet and bulk-forming laxatives
Acute diverticulitis is treated by intravenous antibiotics
Abscess < 5 cm - likely to settle with antibiotics; > 5cm – likely to require intervention.
Urgent or emergent laparotomy
Abscess is inaccessible to percutaneous drainage
Patient’s condition deteriorates or fails to improve
Patient presents with free intra-abdominal air
Peritonitis
Hartmann’s procedure - safest option in emergency surgery
Primary anastomosis – for young and fit patients without gross contamination or overwhelming sepsis
Elective resection: Recurrent attacks, Fistulae