Abstract

AbstractThis report describes 100 consecutive patients treated surgically for diverticulities of the colon. The main indications for operation were recurrent attacks (33), rapid progresive symptoms 917), bleeding (16), palpable mass (14), or combinatoins of the above. Eight-four patients had primary resection (two deaths), ten had staged procedure (two deaths), and six had Hartmann procedures (one death). The mortality was highest in staged procedures as this group of patients included those with complicatiuos resulting in the greatest operative risks. No deaths occured in the elective cases. In 25 cases, various complications developed. The most common was wound infection and sepsis. The five deaths in the series are reported in detail with an evaluatio of possible alternative methods of treatment. Follow-up of the series showed only one recurrence in the two years after operation.