Brief Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Surg. Apr 27, 2011; 3(4): 49-53
Published online Apr 27, 2011. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v3.i4.49
Small intestine diverticula: Is there anything new?
Dimitris Mantas, Stylianos Kykalos, Dimitris Patsouras, Gregory Kouraklis
Dimitris Mantas, Stylianos Kykalos, Dimitris Patsouras, Gregory Kouraklis, 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Medical School of Athens University, Laiko General Hospital, Tilou 12, 15344, Athens, Greece
Author contributions: Mantas D participated in analyzing the data and designing the study; Kykalos S participated in collecting the data and writing the article; Patsouras D participated in collecting data; Kouraklis G participated in designing the study.
Correspondence to: Stylianos Kykalos, MD, 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Medical School of Athens University, Laiko General Hospital, Tilou 12, 15344, Athens, Greece. kykalos@hotmail.com
Telephone: +30-210-6390861 Fax: +30-210-7456972
Received: August 24, 2010
Revised: April 3, 2011
Accepted: April 11, 2011
Published online: April 27, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To globally approach the clinical entity of small bowel diverticulosis and, at the same time, set out the treatment options.

METHODS: We analysed 77 cases of diverticula located in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum that were treated in our department, evaluating the symptoms, diagnostic approach and offered treatment.

RESULTS: Almost half of the diverticula (46.7%) were incidentally discovered and Meckel’s diverticula represented the majority (43%) that were actually the only true diverticula. A high complication rate (53%) which included inflammation with or without perforation (22%), bleeding (10%) or obstructive ileus (12%) due to small bowel diverticulosis was reported. The preoperative diagnosis was often impossible (44% of complicated cases).

CONCLUSION: Although small bowel diverticulosis has a low incidence, it should be in the clinician’s mind in order to avoid misdiagnosis.

Keywords: Diverticulosis; Diverticulitis; Duodenum; Small bowel