Brief Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2010; 16(14): 1742-1746
Published online Apr 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i14.1742
Current surgical treatment of diverticular disease in the Netherlands
Annelien N Morks, Bastiaan R Klarenbeek, Elvira R Flikweert, Donald L van der Peet, Thomas M Karsten, Eric H Eddes, Miguel A Cuesta, Peter W de Graaf
Annelien N Morks, Thomas M Karsten, Peter W de Graaf, Department of Surgery, Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, PO Box 5011, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Bastiaan R Klarenbeek, Donald L van der Peet, Miguel A Cuesta, Department of Surgery, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Elvira R Flikweert, Eric H Eddes, Department of Surgery, Deventer Ziekenhuis, PO Box 5001, 7400 GC Deventer, The Netherlands
Author contributions: Morks AN and Klarenbeek BR contributed equally to writing the manuscript; Flikweert ER, van der Peet DL, Karsten TM, Eddes EH and Cuesta MA collected the data; de Graaf PW edited and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, VU University Medical Center and Deventer Ziekenhuis
Correspondence to: Bastiaan R Klarenbeek, MD, Department of Surgery, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. br.klarenbeek@vumc.nl
Telephone: +31-6-41254152 Fax: +31-20-4444511
Received: December 18, 2009
Revised: January 17, 2010
Accepted: January 24, 2010
Published online: April 14, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the development of diagnostic tools, indications for surgery and treatment modalities concerning diverticular disease (DD) in the Netherlands.

METHODS: Data were collected from 100 patients who underwent surgery for DD in three Dutch hospitals. All hospitals used the same standardized database. The collected data included patient demographics, patient history, type of surgery and complications. Patients were divided into two groups, one undergoing elective surgery (elective group) and the other undergoing acute surgery (acute group).

RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-nine patients were admitted between 2000 and 2007. One hundred and seventy-eight patients underwent acute surgery and 121 patients received elective operations. The median age of the 121 patients was 69 years (range: 28-94 years), significantly higher in acute patients (P = 0.010). Laparoscopic resection was performed in 31% of elective patients. In the acute setting, 61% underwent a Hartmann procedure. The overall morbidity and mortality were 51% and 10%, and 60% and 16% in the acute group, which were significantly higher than in the elective group (36% and 1%). Only 35% of the temporary ostomies were restored.

CONCLUSION: This study gives a picture of current surgical practice for DD in the Netherlands. New developments are implemented in daily practice, resulting in acceptable morbidity and mortality rates.

Keywords: Diverticulitis; Surgery; Diverticular disease