Audit on Complicated Diverticular Disease

Seventy-three patients were seen between 1970 and 1983 with complicated diverticular disease. There were only six hospital deaths (8%). Two out of 7 patients with faecal peritonitis died, 2 of 27 patients with purulent peritonitis died and there was one death each associated with an inflammatory mass and a peridiverticular abscess. Five of the six hospital deaths were from cardiorespiratory disease and only one was from sepsis. Three of the early deaths were in patients who were receiving steroid therapy. There were three late deaths: one from uncontrolled sepsis, one an anaesthetic death from coronary occlusion during revision of a Hartmann operation and the third was an incidental myocardial infarction. A very conservative surgical policy was adopted, primary resection only being used for an inflammatory mass and selectively for fistula and local purulent disease. Despite our apparent low hospital mortality there was a high incidence of complication; wound sepsis 29%, fistula after colostomy closure 12% and anastomotic dehiscence after primary or secondary reconstruction 12%. These findings indicate the need for a prospective audit which is now in progress.