Same hospitalization resection for acute diverticulitis

We reviewed our experience with same hospitalization resection in the treat ment of acute diverticulitis (AD) and compared outcomes with patients admit ted for elective resection. From January 1987 through December 1996, 20 pat ients (Group 1) were admitted with AD and were operated on during the same hospital admission. During that same time period, 22 patients (Group 2) wer e admitted for elective resection and found to have an abscess intraoperati vely. Thirty patients had elective resection with no abscess found (Group 3 ), and 10 patients were found to have a fistula to adjacent structures duri ng elective resection (Group 4). Demographics and type of procedure done we re similar in all groups. Fifteen patients (75%) in Group 1 had an abscess; eight were pericolic, and seven were pelvic. In contrast, all Group 2 absc esses were pericolic (P < 0.001). There was no mortality or major morbidity in any group. Patients in Groups I and 4 had higher fluid requirements (no t significant), estimated blood loss (P < 0.01), and longer operative times (P < 0.05) when compared with the other groups. Postoperative and total ho spital stay was significantly longer in Group 1. We conclude that hospitali zed patients with AD who meet indications for surgery can be operated on du ring the same hospitalization without an increase in morbidity, compared wi th those patients discharged and later readmitted for elective resection.