Our approach
The treatment of diverticulitis depends on the severity of the inflammation and the presence of complications.
At MSI, every case is assessed individually. We determine the stage of the disease and evaluate the CT results and the patient's overall condition. Whenever possible, treatment is conservative, and when surgery is needed, we give preference to laparoscopic techniques.
What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the diverticula of the colon.
The disease most often affects the sigmoid colon. Inflammation develops as a result of infection or blockage of a diverticulum and may remain confined to the bowel wall or spread to the surrounding tissues.
Why does diverticulitis develop?
Diverticulitis develops on the background of diverticular disease.
Risk factors include:
- age over 50
- a diet low in fiber
- obesity
- a sedentary lifestyle
- smoking
- chronic constipation
- immunodeficiency
Symptoms
Patients most often experience:
- pain in the lower left abdomen
- fever
- nausea
- constipation or diarrhea
- bloating
- weakness
- abdominal tenderness on palpation
When complications develop, symptoms of peritonitis, bowel obstruction, or sepsis may appear.
When to see a doctor
A consultation is recommended if:
- you have acute pain in the lower abdomen
- you have a fever together with abdominal pain
- diverticulitis has been diagnosed on a CT scan
- symptoms do not go away with treatment
- episodes of diverticulitis keep recurring
- a complicated course of the disease is suspected
How is the diagnosis made?
The following are used to establish the diagnosis:
- consultation with a colorectal surgeon
- blood tests
- inflammatory markers
- contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography
- ultrasound when indicated
- colonoscopy after the acute inflammation has fully subsided, to rule out other diseases
How is diverticulitis treated?
The treatment strategy depends on the form of the disease.
Options may include:
- conservative treatment
- antibiotic therapy when indicated
- intravenous fluid therapy
- image-guided abscess drainage
- laparoscopic surgical treatment
- reconstructive surgery after previous emergency operations
Surgical treatment
Surgery is performed when complications develop or conservative treatment is ineffective.
At MSI we perform:
- laparoscopic sigmoid colon resection
- colon resection with primary anastomosis
- surgery for colon perforation
- treatment of diverticular fistulas
- reconstructive surgery after a Hartmann procedure
- laparoscopic repeat surgery for recurrent diverticulitis
Recovery after treatment
After planned laparoscopic operations, modern ERAS protocols are used, allowing faster recovery of physical activity and eating and a shorter hospital stay.
After treatment, a follow-up colonoscopy is recommended (if one has not been done before) to rule out other colon diseases.
Why choose MSI
- Specialization in colorectal surgery
- Laparoscopic treatment of diverticular disease and its complications
- A comprehensive approach to uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis
- Adherence to ASCRS, EAES, and WSES international guidelines
- Enhanced recovery protocols (ERAS)
- Individual treatment planning for every patient
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Most cases of uncomplicated diverticulitis are treated conservatively. Surgery is indicated when complications develop, treatment is ineffective, or recurrences are frequent.
Yes. Some patients have repeat episodes of the disease. In such cases, the benefit of planned surgical treatment is assessed.
After the acute inflammation has fully subsided, usually in 6–8 weeks, a colonoscopy is recommended to rule out colorectal cancer and other colon diseases.
For most patients, the outlook after a planned laparoscopic colon resection is very favorable. Surgery removes the source of inflammation, significantly reduces the risk of repeat episodes of diverticulitis, and allows a return to a full life.