Diverticular Disease

Ryan Emanuelson; Lindsay Sceats; Raman Menon; Melinda Hawkins

doi:10.1016/j.suc.2025.08.009

Diverticular Disease

Surg Clin North Am. 2026 Feb;106(1):93-101. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2025.08.009. Epub 2025 Sep 16.

Authors

Ryan Emanuelson¹, Lindsay Sceats², Raman Menon², Melinda Hawkins³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Swedish Medical Center, Swedish Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA.
² Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Swedish Medical Center, Swedish Colon and Rectal Clinic, 1101 Madison Suite 510, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
³ Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Swedish Medical Center, Swedish Colon and Rectal Clinic, 1101 Madison Suite 510, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. Electronic address: Melinda.hawkins@swedish.org.

PMID: 41241456
DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2025.08.009

Abstract

Our approach to the diagnosis and treatment of diverticulitis has evolved over the past 20 y. Routine use of antibiotics has decreased with recent studies suggesting simple cases of diverticulitis can be selectively managed without antibiotics. The criteria necessitating surgical intervention have also been amended as our understanding of the natural history of diverticulitis has grown. We favor selective use of antibiotics, percutaneous drainage, and surgery depending on the severity of the disease, patient factors, and clinical context.

Keywords: Abscess; Diverticulitis; Diverticulosis; Primary anastomosis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
Diverticular Diseases* / diagnosis
Diverticular Diseases* / therapy
Diverticulitis, Colonic* / diagnosis
Diverticulitis, Colonic* / surgery
Diverticulitis, Colonic* / therapy
Drainage
Humans

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents