Medical Treatment of Diverticular Disease

The medical treatment of diverticulitis is discussed, including its incidence, stages, and presentation, as are the antibiotic and dietary therapies currently recommended for this disease. Because diverticulitis can be a challenge to treat, several pitfalls are listed in this discussion, including diverticulitis in the immunocompromised, in the young, and in patients who do not have true diverticulitis but who present with some signs and symptoms of the disease.

KEYWORDS

Diverticulosis - diverticulitis - irritable bowel syndrome - antibiotics - high-fiber diet

REFERENCES

• 1 The Random House Dictionary of the English Language. New York, NY; Random House 1979: 419
• 2 Gordon P H, Nivatvongs S. Principles and Practice of Surgery for the Colon, Rectum, and Anus. St. Louis, MO; Quality Medical Publishing 1999: 976
• 3 Hinchey J E, Schaal P G, Richards G K. Treatment of perforated diverticular disease of the colon.  Adv Surg. 1978;  12 85-109
• 4 Burkitt D P, Walker A R, Painter N S. Dietary fiber and disease.  JAMA. 1974;  229 1068-1074
• 5 Trowell H C, Burkitt D P. Diverticular disease in urban Kenyans.  Br Med J. 1979;  30 1795
• 6 Gordon P H, Nivatvongs S. Principles and Practice of Surgery for the Colon, Rectum, and Anus. St. Louis, MO; Quality Medical Publishing 1999: 979
• 7 Rakel R E, Bope E T. Conn's Current Therapy. 2003 55th ed Philadelphia, PA; Saunders 2003: 548
• 8 Hinchey E J, Schaal P G, Richards G K. Treatment of perforated diverticular disease of the colon.  Adv Surg. 1978;  12 85-109
• 9 Horner J. A study of diverticulitis of the colon in office practice.  Gastroenterology. 1952;  21 223-229
• 10 Goligher J. Surgery of the Anus Rectum and Colon. London; Bailliere Tindall 1984: 1096
• 11 Young-Fadok T. Diverticular Disease of the Colon. Core Subjects 2001 American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Web site, p. 40. Available at: http://www.facrs.org. Accessed August 3, 2004
• 12 Practice Parameters for the Treatment of Sigmoid Diverticulitis-Supporting Documentation. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Web site, p. 2. Available at: http://www.facrs.org. Accessed August 3, 2004
• 13 Corman M L. Colon and Rectal Surgery. Philadelphia, PA; JB Lippincott Co 1989: 671-675
• 14 Gordon P H, Nivatvongs S. Principles and Practice of Surgery for the Colon, Rectum, and Anus. St. Louis, MO; Quality Medical Publishing 1999: 986
• 15 Corman M L. Colon and Rectal Surgery. Philadelphia, PA; JB Lippincott Co 1989: 669
• 16 Breen R E, Corman M L, Robertson W G, Prager E D. Are we really operating on diverticulitis?.  Dis Colon Rectum. 1986;  29 174-176
• 17 Freischlag J, Bennion R S, Thompson Jr J E. Complications of diverticular disease of the colon in young people.  Dis Colon Rectum. 1986;  29 639-643
• 18 Hyman N. Diverticulitis in Young Patients-Is an Aggressive Approach Really Justified?. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Web site. Webcast of 2003 New Orleans Meeting. Available at: http://www.facrs.org
• 19 Practice Parameters for the Treatment of Sigmoid Diverticulitis-Supporting Documentation. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Web site, p. 7. Available at: http://www.facrs.org. Accessed August 3, 2004
• 20 Gilbert DN, Moellering RC, Sande MA The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy 33rd ed. Hyde Park, VT; Antimicrobial Therapy, Inc. 2003 14