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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 28, 2014; 20(44): 16609-16614
Published online Nov 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16609
Published online Nov 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16609
Rethinking elective colectomy for diverticulitis: A strategic approach to population health
Vlad V Simianu, David R Flum, Department of Surgery, Surgical Outcomes Research Center UW Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
Author contributions: Simianu VV and Flum DR contributed equally to this work.
Supported by Grants from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality under award No. HS20025; a training grant funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award No. T32DK070555
Correspondence to: David R Flum, MD, MPH, Department of Surgery, Surgical Outcomes Research Center UW Medical Center, University of Washington, Box 354808, 1107 NE 45th Street, Suite 502, Seattle, WA 98105, United States. daveflum@u.washington.edu
Telephone: +1-206-5431664 Fax: +1-206-6169032
Received: June 28, 2014
Revised: August 15, 2014
Accepted: September 18, 2014
Published online: November 28, 2014
Revised: August 15, 2014
Accepted: September 18, 2014
Published online: November 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Over the last decade, the relationship between elective and emergency surgery has come into question. With most emergency resections being performed in patients without a prior hospitalization, it has become apparent that diverticulitis recurrences are a poor predictor for future emergency operation at the population level. In addition, the rate of diverticulitis recurrence appears to be small and similar for those who do and do not undergo resection. This evidence suggests a need to rethink the factors that should be considered when deciding on elective colectomy for diverticulitis.