Diverticular Disease (diverticular + disease)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of Diverticular Disease

  • uncomplicated diverticular disease


  • Selected Abstracts


    Diverticular disease hospital admissions are increasing, with poor outcomes in the elderly and emergency admissions

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 11-12 2009
    S. JEYARAJAH
    Summary Background, Diverticular disease has a changing disease pattern with limited epidemiological data. Aim, To describe diverticular disease admission rates and associated outcomes through national population study. Methods, Data were obtained from the English ,Hospital Episode Statistics' database between 1996 and 2006. Primary outcomes examined were 30-day overall and 1-year mortality, 28-day readmission rates and extended length of stay (LOS) beyond the 75th percentile (median inpatient LOS = 6 days). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of these outcomes. Results, Between the study dates 560 281 admissions with a primary diagnosis of diverticular disease were recorded in England. The national admission rate increased from 0.56 to 1.20 per 1000 population/year. 232 047 (41.4%) were inpatient admissions and, of these, 55 519 (23.9%) were elective and 176 528 (76.1%) emergency. Surgery was undertaken in 37 767 (16.3%). The 30-day mortality was 5.1% (n = 6735) and 1-year mortality was 14.5% (n = 11 567). The 28-day readmission rate was 9.6% (n = 21 160). Increasing age, comorbidity and emergency admission were independent predictors of all primary outcomes. Conclusions, Diverticular disease admissions increased over the course of the study. Patients of increasing age, admitted as emergency and significant comorbidity should be identified, allowing management modification to optimize outcomes. [source]


    Review article: the current and evolving treatment of colonic diverticular disease

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2009
    A. TURSI
    Summary Background, Formation of colonic diverticula, via herniation of the colonic wall, is responsible for the development of diverticulosis and consequently diverticular disease. Diverticular disease can be associated with numerous debilitating abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms (including pain, bloating, nausea, constipation and diarrhoea). Aims, To review the state of treatment for diverticular disease and its complications, and briefly discuss potential future therapies. Methods, PubMed and recent conference abstracts were searched for articles describing the treatment of diverticular disease. Results, Many physicians will recommend alterations to lifestyle and increasing fibre consumption. Empirical antibiotics remain the mainstay of therapy for patients with diverticular disease and rifaximin seems to be the best choice. In severe or relapsing disease, surgical intervention is often the only remaining treatment option. Although novel treatment options are yet to become available, the addition of therapies based on mesalazine (mesalamine) and probiotics may enhance treatment efficacy. Conclusions, Data suggest that diverticular disease may share many of the hallmarks of other, better-characterized inflammatory bowel diseases; however, treatment options for patients with diverticular disease are scarce, revolving around antibiotic treatment and surgery. There is a need for a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of diverticular disease to design treatment regimens accordingly. [source]


    Review article: uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 10 2006
    L. PETRUZZIELLO
    Summary Diverticular disease of the colon is the fifth most important gastrointestinal disease in terms of direct and indirect healthcare costs in western countries. Uncomplicated diverticular disease is defined as the presence of diverticula in the absence of complications such as perforation, fistula, obstruction and/or bleeding. The distribution of diverticula along the colon varies worldwide being almost always left-sided and directly related to age in western countries and right-sided where diet is rich in fibre. The pathophysiology of diverticular disease is complex and relates to abnormal colonic motility, changes in the colonic wall, chronic mucosal low-grade inflammation, imbalance in colonic microflora and visceral hypersensitivity. Moreover, there can be genetic factors involved in the development of colonic diverticula. The use of non-absorbable antibiotics is the mainstay of therapy in patients with mild to moderate symptoms, and the effect of fibre-supplementation alone does not appear to be significantly different from placebo, although no definite data are available. More recently, alternative treatments have been reported. Mesalazine acts as a local mucosal immunomodulator and has been shown to improve symptoms and prevent recurrence of diverticulitis. In addition, probiotics have also been shown to be beneficial by re-establishing a normal gut microflora. In this study, the current literature on uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon is reviewed. [source]


    Polypoid prolapsing mucosal folds with diverticulosis and colonic muco-submucosal elongated polyps

    GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2006
    Nobuo Kanazawa
    Background: In 1991, Kelly first reported the presence of red or brown mucosal protrusions or polyps associated with diverticular disease and described this syndrome as ,polypoid prolapsing mucosal folds in diverticular disease.' In 1994, Matake et al. independently reported several long mucosal intraluminal protrusions as ,colonic muco-submucosal elongated polyps.' The purpose of the present study is to address the relationship between the two syndromes. Methods: We performed a careful review of the published work on the clinicopathological features of these syndromes. Results: The clinical symptoms associated with these two syndromes do not differ notably. Because of the mucosal redundancy of the colonic mucosa, the excessive propulsive power of peristalsis may play an important role in generating both types of polyps. Neither ,polypoid prolapsing mucosal folds in diverticular disease' nor ,colonic muco-submucosal elongated polyps' fit into any of the conventional classifications, and their histological characteristics are similar. In addition, we describe the diagnosis and clinical management at our institution of an emergent case of polypoid prolapsing mucosal folds in diverticular disease. Conclusion: In light of their similar etiology and pathology, we propose that these conditions are different manifestations of the same entity. Unifying these two classifications into one makes the diagnosis of either type of polyp less onerous for clinicians, endoscopists and pathologists. As a consequence, it is likely that more cases will be diagnosed and reported. The accumulation of more cases will lead to deeper understanding and further clinicopathological characterization of diverticular polyps. [source]


    Imaging the large bowel in the elderly

    GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2004
    Aza Abdulla
    Diseases of the large bowel are common in older patients and many of these, notably polyps, cancer, diverticular disease and ischemia, increase in incidence with age. A variety of imaging modalities are available in clinical practice but the choice of investigation should take into consideration not only its diagnostic yield but also the ability of the older patient to undergo the procedure with minimal discomfort. Perhaps more important is whether that investigation is likely to have an effect on the overall management of the patient. [source]


    Unspecified abdominal pain in primary care: the role of gastrointestinal morbidity

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 10 2007
    M.-A. Wallander
    Summary Background:, Many patients with abdominal pain have no obvious cause for their symptoms and receive a diagnosis of unspecified abdominal pain. Aim:, The objective of this study was to ascertain risk factors and consequences of a diagnosis of unspecified abdominal pain in primary care. Methods:, A population-based, case,control study was conducted using the UK General Practice Research Database. We identified 29,299 patients with a new diagnosis of abdominal pain, and 30,000 age- and sex-matched controls. Only diagnostic codes that did not specify the type or location of abdominal pain were included. Results and discussion:, The incidence of newly diagnosed unspecified abdominal pain was 22.3 per 1000 person-years. The incidence was higher in females than in males, and 29% of patients were below 20 years of age. Prior gastrointestinal morbidity was associated with abdominal pain, but high body mass index, smoking and alcohol intake were not. Patients newly diagnosed with abdominal pain were 16 to 27 times more likely than controls to receive a subsequent new diagnosis of gallbladder disease, diverticular disease, pancreatitis or appendicitis in the year after the diagnosis of abdominal pain. The likelihood of receiving other gastrointestinal diagnoses such as peptic ulcer disease, hiatus hernia, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or dyspepsia was increased three- to 14-fold among patients consulting for abdominal pain. Conclusion:, When managing abdominal pain in primary care, morbidities such as GERD and IBS should be considered as diagnoses once potentially life-threatening problems have been excluded. [source]


    The Patient Health Questionnaire 12 Somatic Symptom scale as a predictor of symptom severity and consulting behaviour in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and symptomatic diverticular disease

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2010
    R. C. Spiller
    Summary Background, Anxiety, depression and nongastrointestinal symptoms are often prominent in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but their relative value in patient management has not been quantitatively assessed. We modified the Patient Health Questionnaire 15 (PHQ-15) by excluding three gastrointestinal items to create the PHQ-12 Somatic Symptom (PHQ-12 SS) scale. Aims, To compare the value of the PHQ-12 SS scale with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale in predicting symptoms and patient behaviour in IBS and diverticular disease. Methods, We compared 151 healthy volunteers (HV), 319 IBS patients and 296 patients with diverticular disease (DD), 113 asymptomatic [ASYMPDD] and 173 symptomatic DD (SYMPDD). Results, Patient Health Questionnaire 12 SS scores for IBS and SYMPDD were significantly higher than HV. Receiver,operator curves showed a PHQ-12 SS >6, gave a sensitivity for IBS of 66.4% with a specificity of 94.7% and a positive likelihood ratio (PLR) = 13.2, significantly better than that associated with an HAD anxiety score >7, PLR = 3.0 and depression score >7 PLR = 6.5. PHQ-12 SS correlated strongly with IBS severity scale and GP visits in both IBS and DD. Conclusion, The PHQ-12 SS scale is a useful clinical tool which correlates with patient behaviour in both IBS and symptomatic DD. [source]


    Diverticular disease hospital admissions are increasing, with poor outcomes in the elderly and emergency admissions

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 11-12 2009
    S. JEYARAJAH
    Summary Background, Diverticular disease has a changing disease pattern with limited epidemiological data. Aim, To describe diverticular disease admission rates and associated outcomes through national population study. Methods, Data were obtained from the English ,Hospital Episode Statistics' database between 1996 and 2006. Primary outcomes examined were 30-day overall and 1-year mortality, 28-day readmission rates and extended length of stay (LOS) beyond the 75th percentile (median inpatient LOS = 6 days). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of these outcomes. Results, Between the study dates 560 281 admissions with a primary diagnosis of diverticular disease were recorded in England. The national admission rate increased from 0.56 to 1.20 per 1000 population/year. 232 047 (41.4%) were inpatient admissions and, of these, 55 519 (23.9%) were elective and 176 528 (76.1%) emergency. Surgery was undertaken in 37 767 (16.3%). The 30-day mortality was 5.1% (n = 6735) and 1-year mortality was 14.5% (n = 11 567). The 28-day readmission rate was 9.6% (n = 21 160). Increasing age, comorbidity and emergency admission were independent predictors of all primary outcomes. Conclusions, Diverticular disease admissions increased over the course of the study. Patients of increasing age, admitted as emergency and significant comorbidity should be identified, allowing management modification to optimize outcomes. [source]


    Review article: the current and evolving treatment of colonic diverticular disease

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2009
    A. TURSI
    Summary Background, Formation of colonic diverticula, via herniation of the colonic wall, is responsible for the development of diverticulosis and consequently diverticular disease. Diverticular disease can be associated with numerous debilitating abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms (including pain, bloating, nausea, constipation and diarrhoea). Aims, To review the state of treatment for diverticular disease and its complications, and briefly discuss potential future therapies. Methods, PubMed and recent conference abstracts were searched for articles describing the treatment of diverticular disease. Results, Many physicians will recommend alterations to lifestyle and increasing fibre consumption. Empirical antibiotics remain the mainstay of therapy for patients with diverticular disease and rifaximin seems to be the best choice. In severe or relapsing disease, surgical intervention is often the only remaining treatment option. Although novel treatment options are yet to become available, the addition of therapies based on mesalazine (mesalamine) and probiotics may enhance treatment efficacy. Conclusions, Data suggest that diverticular disease may share many of the hallmarks of other, better-characterized inflammatory bowel diseases; however, treatment options for patients with diverticular disease are scarce, revolving around antibiotic treatment and surgery. There is a need for a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of diverticular disease to design treatment regimens accordingly. [source]


    Review article: uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 10 2006
    L. PETRUZZIELLO
    Summary Diverticular disease of the colon is the fifth most important gastrointestinal disease in terms of direct and indirect healthcare costs in western countries. Uncomplicated diverticular disease is defined as the presence of diverticula in the absence of complications such as perforation, fistula, obstruction and/or bleeding. The distribution of diverticula along the colon varies worldwide being almost always left-sided and directly related to age in western countries and right-sided where diet is rich in fibre. The pathophysiology of diverticular disease is complex and relates to abnormal colonic motility, changes in the colonic wall, chronic mucosal low-grade inflammation, imbalance in colonic microflora and visceral hypersensitivity. Moreover, there can be genetic factors involved in the development of colonic diverticula. The use of non-absorbable antibiotics is the mainstay of therapy in patients with mild to moderate symptoms, and the effect of fibre-supplementation alone does not appear to be significantly different from placebo, although no definite data are available. More recently, alternative treatments have been reported. Mesalazine acts as a local mucosal immunomodulator and has been shown to improve symptoms and prevent recurrence of diverticulitis. In addition, probiotics have also been shown to be beneficial by re-establishing a normal gut microflora. In this study, the current literature on uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon is reviewed. [source]


    Post inflammatory damage to the enteric nervous system in diverticular disease and its relationship to symptoms

    NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 8 2009
    J. Simpson
    Abstract:, Some patients with colonic diverticula suffer recurrent abdominal pain and exhibit visceral hypersensitivity, though the mechanism is unclear. Prior diverticulitis increases the risk of being symptomatic while experimental colitis in animals increases expression of neuropeptides within the enteric nervous system (ENS) which may mediate visceral hypersensitivity. Our aim was to determine the expression of neuropeptides within the ENS in diverticulitis (study 1) and in patients with symptomatic disease (study 2). Study 1 , Nerves in colonic resection specimens with either acute diverticulitis (AD, n = 16) or chronic diverticulitis (CD, n = 16) were assessed for neuropeptide expression recording % area staining with protein gene product (PGP9.5), substance P (SP), neuropeptide K (NPK), pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and galanin. Study 2 , Seventeen symptomatic and 15 asymptomatic patients with colonic diverticula underwent flexible sigmoidoscopy and multiple peridiverticular mucosal biopsies. Study 1, Neural tissue, as assessed by PGP staining was increased to a similar degree in circular muscle in both AD and CD. The CD specimens showed significant increases in the immunoreactivity of SP, NPK and galanin in both mucosal and circular muscle layer compared with controls. Study 2 , Mucosal histology was normal and PGP9.5 staining was similar between groups however patients with symptomatic diverticular disease demonstrated significantly higher levels of SP, NPK, VIP, PACAP and galanin within the mucosal plexus. Patients with symptomatic diverticular disease exhibit increased neuropeptides in mucosal biopsies which may reflect resolved prior inflammation, as it parallels the changes seen in acute and chronic diverticulitis. [source]


    Small bowel diverticular disease complicated by perforation

    ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 10 2003
    Scott Nightingale
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Clinical outcomes of laparoscopic colonic resection for diverticular disease in Japanese patients

    ASIAN JOURNAL OF ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2010
    T Akagi
    Abstract Introduction: Indications for laparoscopic surgery for colonic diverticular disease have not been established in Japan despite this being a relatively common disease. We studied surgical outcomes of laparoscopic colon resection (LCR) versus open colon resection (OCR) for diverticular disease. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed surgical outcomes of 21 patients with colonic diverticulitis. Results: Of these 21 patients, 11 underwent OCR, and 10 underwent LCR. There were no differences in age, sex, and BMI between the groups. Diverticulitis in the LCR group, compared to the OCR group, was characterized as being of the uncomplicated type with a right-side location (P<0.01). Volume of blood loss and duration of postoperative hospital stay were less in the LCR group than in the OCR group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in operative times, duration to start of solid food intake, and rate of postoperative complications. Conclusion: These results suggest that LCR for diverticulitis can be performed safely and less invasively without increased morbidity for uncomplicated diverticulitis. Further studies will be needed to determine the benefits of LCR for complicated diverticulitis. [source]


    Natural orifice surgery: applications in colonic surgery

    ASIAN JOURNAL OF ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2010
    J. Leroy
    Abstract Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic abdominal surgery, or NOTES, allows invasive operations to be performed through a single or multiple natural-orifice approach either in isolation ("pure") or in combination with a transparietal ("hybrid") access format. Therefore, to facilitate a colonic or rectal resection, the transgastric, transrectal or transcolonic routes, as well as the transvaginal route in women, can all be used either alone or in combination. We are now performing resectional colonic techniques on our patients that have been inspired by this revolutionary concept, carefully planned with storyboarding and validated in porcine models with survival analysis. Adaptation of existing equipment along with the use of new instruments and some simple ideas, such as magnetic fields to retract and mobilize the colon, have allowed us to simplify and standardize the operative technique (the first steps to ensuring procedural reproducibility). Initial potential applications can easily be imagined for partial colonic resections for voluminous benign polyps and for small early cancers, but these applications may extend to incorporate inflammatory bowel diseases such as diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon. For these techniques to further improve and the concept to become a concrete reality, a change in current surgical practice is required, and conventional laparoscopic techniques must be understood to represent a point along the evolutional development of surgery and not considered the final destination. However, as important as technical capacity is, due consideration and assurance of oncological and immunological propriety is essential, as is the issue of clarifying precise patient harm:benefit risk ratios. [source]


    Letter 1: French multicentre prospective observational study of laparoscopic versus open colectomy for sigmoid diverticular disease (Br J Surg 2005; 92: 1520,1525)

    BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 4 2006
    T. Salem
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Letter 2: French multicentre prospective observational study of laparoscopic versus open colectomy for sigmoid diverticular disease (Br J Surg 2005; 92: 1520,1525)

    BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 4 2006
    T. Ramalingam
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Prospective study of primary anastomosis following sigmoid resection for suspected acute complicated diverticular disease (Br J Surg 2001; 88: 693,7)

    BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 2 2002
    V. S. Menon
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Virtual colonoscopy vs conventional colonoscopy in patients at high risk of colorectal cancer , a prospective trial of 150 patients

    COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 2 2009
    T. J. White
    Abstract Objective, Virtual colonoscopy (VC)/CT colonography has advantages over the well-documented limitations of colonoscopy/barium enema. This prospective blinded investigative comparison trial aimed to evaluate the ability of VC to assess the large bowel, compared to conventional colonoscopy (CC), in patients at high risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Method, We studied 150 patients (73 males, mean age 60.9 years) at high risk of CRC. Following bowel preparation, VC was undertaken using colonic insufflation and 2D-spiral CT acquisition. Two radiologists reported the images and a consensual agreement reached. Direct comparison was made with CC (performed later the same day). Interobserver agreement was calculated using the Kappa method. Postal questionnaires sought patient preference. Results, Virtual colonoscopy visualized the caecum in all cases. Five (3.33%) VCs were classified as inadequate owing to poor distension/faecal residue. CC completion rate was 86%. Ultimately, 44 patients had normal findings, 44 had diverticular disease, 11 had inflammatory bowel disease, 18 had cancers, and 33 patients had 42 polyps. VC identified 19 cancers , a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 99.2% respectively. For detecting polyps > 10 mm, VC had a sensitivity and specificity (per patient) of 91% and 99.2% respectively. VC identified four polyps proximal to stenosing carcinomas and extracolonic malignancies in nine patients (6%). No procedural complications occurred with either investigation. A Kappa score achieved for interobserver agreement was 0.777. Conclusion, Virtual colonoscopy is an effective and safe method for evaluating the bowel and was the investigation of choice amongst patients surveyed. VC provided information additional to CC on both proximal and extracolonic pathology. VC may become the diagnostic procedure of choice for symptomatic patients at high risk of CRC, with CC being reserved for therapeutic intervention, or where a tissue diagnosis is required. [source]


    Emergency surgery for complicated acute diverticulitis

    COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 2 2009
    N. Issa
    Abstract Aim, Antecedent attacks of diverticulitis are thought to increase the risk of complicated diverticulitis, and unless elective surgery is performed, a high proportion of patients with recurrent symptoms will require emergency operations for complicated diverticulitis with its associated morbidity. In this multicentre study, we aim to assess impact of previous attacks of diverticulitis on patients requiring an emergency surgical intervention. Method, All patients operated on as an emergency for complicated diverticulitis were retrospectively analysed. Patients were separated into two groups: group A included patients without previous history of diverticular disease, and group B those with previous attacks of diverticulitis. Results, A total of 96 patients were included in the study. Group A included 68 (70.8%) patients, and group B 28 (29.2%) patients. Generalized peritonitis was the reason for operation in 50 (73.5%) patients in-group A and only four (14%) patients in group B. Perforated diverticulitis occurred more often in group A, whereas pericolonic abscess and phlegmon formation occurred more commonly in group B. Resection was performed in all patients in group B; 50% had a Hartmann's procedure, and the other 50% patients had primary anastomosis. Hartmann's procedure was performed in 52 patients (76.5%) in group A, and 8 patients (11.7%) had resection and primary anastomosis. No difference in postoperative complications was identified between the groups. Conclusion, Multiple attacks of diverticulitis are not associated with an increased risk of complicated diverticulitis. Recurrent episodes of diverticulitis are not associated with a less favourable outcome or an increased risk of fatality if complications ensue. [source]


    Laparoscopic resection of diverticular fistulae: a 10-year experience

    COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 7 2007
    A. H. Engledow
    Abstract Objective, Until recently the laparoscopic approach was reserved for uncomplicated diverticular disease. We show that fistulating diverticular disease can be resected safely, with good clinical outcome via a laparoscopic approach. Method, Between April 1994 and May 2005, 31 consecutive patients [17 male, median age of 63 years (range 40,85)], underwent attempted laparoscopic resection for diverticular fistulae. Patient data were prospectively recorded. Results, There were 22 colovesical and nine colovaginal fistulae. The median operative time was 150 min (range 60,310) and the median postoperative stay was 7 days (range 3,21). Conversion to an open procedure was required in nine of 31 patients (29%). This rate fell to 10% in cases performed after April 2000. There were two nonsurgically related postoperative deaths. Both occurred in the converted group. At 3 months follow-up, two patients complained of frequency of stools, which settled by 6 months. To date there has been no recurrence of symptomatic diverticulosis or fistulation. Conclusion, Totally laparoscopic resection for diverticular fistulae is safe and feasible. Fistulae should not be considered as a contraindication to laparoscopic resection for an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. [source]


    Management of diverticular fistulae to the female genital tract

    COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 5 2007
    F. Hjern
    Abstract Objective, Fistulae to the female genital tract are an infrequent but severe complication of diverticular disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment and outcome in patients with diverticular colo-genital fistulae. Method, Sixty women treated for diverticular fistulae (DF) to the female genital tract during 1992,2004 were identified. Clinic and operative charts were reviewed. Mean age was 70 years and mean follow-up time after surgery was 1 year. Results, Most common presenting symptoms were vaginal discharge of faeces or gas (95% of patients) and abdominal pain (43%). About 75% of patients had undergone a hysterectomy. Forty-six patients underwent at least one radiological contrast study and the fistula was demonstrated in 35 (76%) patients. Fifty-seven patients had surgery, and findings included colo-vaginal fistulae (n = 47), colo-uterine fistulae (n = 2) and multiple fistulae involving vagina and other organs (n = 8). A sigmoid resection and primary anastomosis was performed in 51 and a Hartmann procedure with colostomy in six patients. Sixteen (28%) patients experienced morbidity after surgery, including anastomotic dehiscence (n = 4) and ureteric injury (n = 3). There was no mortality. Conclusion, Diverticular fistulae to the female genital tract usually occur in elderly patients with a prior hysterectomy. Radiological contrast studies demonstrate the fistulous tract in most cases. Sigmoid resection and primary anastomosis results in a satisfactory outcome in the majority of patients. [source]


    The incidence of anastomotic leaks in patients undergoing colorectal surgery

    COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 1 2007
    C. Platell
    Abstract Background, There is evolving interest in auditing and credentialling the performance of surgeons. The incidence of anastomotic leakage has been proposed as a measure of performance following colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing resections of the colon and rectum. Methods, A prospective database was developed for all patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Anastomotic leakage was defined prior to the commencement of the study. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of leakage. The variables analysed included age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score, anatomical location, pathology, emergency surgery, type of anastomosis, a covering stoma and radiotherapy. Significance was defined as the probability of a type 1 error of < 5%. The results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results, There were 1598 patients who underwent 1639 anastomoses. Their mean age was 63 years, 34% of patients were ASA 3 or 4, and 16% of the operations were emergencies. Anastomotic leaks occurred in 2.4% (40/1639) of anastomoses. The leak rate for intraperitoneal anastomoses was 1.5% (19/1283) vs 6.6% for extraperitoneal anastomoses (21/316). Half of these leaks (20/40) were managed with re-operation or percutaneous drainage procedures. Ultra-low anterior resections were associated with the highest leak rate (8%, 18/225). A logistic regression analysis identified a covering stoma (P = 0.0001, OR 5.078, 95% CI 2.527,10.23) and diverticular disease (P = 0.037, OR 2.304, 95% CI 1.053,5.042) as independent predictors of a leak. Conclusions, Within this surgical unit, the incidence of leaks from intraabdominal anastomoses was relatively low. However, leaks in patients undergoing extraperitoneal anastomoses continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. [source]


    Polypoid prolapsing mucosal folds with diverticulosis and colonic muco-submucosal elongated polyps

    GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2006
    Nobuo Kanazawa
    Background: In 1991, Kelly first reported the presence of red or brown mucosal protrusions or polyps associated with diverticular disease and described this syndrome as ,polypoid prolapsing mucosal folds in diverticular disease.' In 1994, Matake et al. independently reported several long mucosal intraluminal protrusions as ,colonic muco-submucosal elongated polyps.' The purpose of the present study is to address the relationship between the two syndromes. Methods: We performed a careful review of the published work on the clinicopathological features of these syndromes. Results: The clinical symptoms associated with these two syndromes do not differ notably. Because of the mucosal redundancy of the colonic mucosa, the excessive propulsive power of peristalsis may play an important role in generating both types of polyps. Neither ,polypoid prolapsing mucosal folds in diverticular disease' nor ,colonic muco-submucosal elongated polyps' fit into any of the conventional classifications, and their histological characteristics are similar. In addition, we describe the diagnosis and clinical management at our institution of an emergent case of polypoid prolapsing mucosal folds in diverticular disease. Conclusion: In light of their similar etiology and pathology, we propose that these conditions are different manifestations of the same entity. Unifying these two classifications into one makes the diagnosis of either type of polyp less onerous for clinicians, endoscopists and pathologists. As a consequence, it is likely that more cases will be diagnosed and reported. The accumulation of more cases will lead to deeper understanding and further clinicopathological characterization of diverticular polyps. [source]