High-fibre diet and bulk-forming laxatives

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