To validate a phenotyping algorithm for gradations of diverticular disease severity and investigate relationships between unmet social needs and disease severity.

An algorithm was designed in the All of Us Research Program to identify diverticulosis, mild diverticulitis, and operative or recurrent diverticulitis requiring multiple inpatient admissions. This was validated in an independent institution and applied to a cohort in the All of Us Research Program. Distributions of individual-level social barriers were compared across quintiles of an area-level index through fold enrichment of the barrier in the fifth (most deprived) quintile relative to the first (least deprived) quintile. Social needs of food insecurity, housing instability, and care access were included in logistic regression to assess association with disease severity.

Across disease severity groups, the phenotyping algorithm had positive predictive values ranging from 0.87 to 0.97 and negative predictive values ranging from 0.97 to 0.99. Unmet social needs were variably distributed when comparing the most to the least deprived quintile of the area-level deprivation index (fold enrichment ranging from 0.53 to 15). Relative to a reference of diverticulosis, an unmet social need was associated with greater odds of operative or recurrent inpatient diverticulitis (OR [95% CI] 1.61 [1.19-2.17]).

Understanding the landscape of social barriers in disease-specific cohorts may facilitate a targeted approach when addressing these needs in clinical settings.

Using a validated phenotyping algorithm for diverticular disease severity, unmet social needs were found to be associated with greater severity of diverticulitis presentation.

Identifying and managing malnourished emergency general surgery (EGS) patients can be difficult. There are many tools available, a range of barriers to overcome and variety of guidelines at a surgeon's disposal. This study aimed to determine the impact of key variables on surgeon preference to start nutritional support in EGS.

A discrete choice experiment was used to determine the impact of six variables on surgeons' treatment preferences for commencing nutritional support in EGS. Twenty-five hypothetical scenarios regarding a patient with adhesional small bowel obstruction were disseminated electronically. Binomial logistic regression was used to identify significant associations. Ethical approval was obtained (UREC 050436).

In all, 148 participants responded providing 3700 scenario responses. Completion rate was 52.1% (148/284) with an approximately even split of consultants and non-consultants (50.7% vs. 49.3%) and intestinal failure (IF) experience (46.6% experienced vs. 53.4% not experienced). Consultants favoured starting nutritional support (77.7%; 1443/1875) more often than non-consultants (71.8%; 1310/1825). Forming an anastomosis, hypoalbuminaemia, underweight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2), unintentional weight loss (>10%), ≥5 days without oral intake until now and ≥5 days likely to be without oral intake from now were statistically more likely to be associated with treatment preference, but obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m2) was not. Overall, experience of IF (OR 1.093, 95% CI 0.732-1.631; P = 0.663) and seniority of surgeon (OR 0.711, 95% CI 0.473-1.068; P = 0.100) significantly influenced the results.

There are many variables that impact the decision to start nutritional support in EGS, but seniority of the surgeon and IF experience do not.

Recent studies have validated the efficacy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) as an alternative diagnostic imaging approach to computed tomography (CT) for patients with suspected acute diverticulitis. This study aimed to quantify the national impact of this approach in cost savings, ED length-of-stay (LOS), and radiation risk mitigation using a POCUS-first approach for acute diverticulitis in the emergency department (ED).

Using published data, we constructed a Monte Carlo simulation model to compare two POCUS-first strategies (nonselective and selective approaches) for evaluating patients with suspected acute diverticulitis in the ED. Primary outcomes were cost savings, reduction in ED LOS, and radiation risk mitigation.

In our simulation model, both nonselective and selective POCUS-first strategies showed substantial potential reductions in the annual number of CTs. Notably, the selective approach led to significantly fewer estimated POCUS examinations (433,847 ± 45,103 exams vs 720,048 ± 55,815 exams, p < 0.001) resulting in greater cost savings ($94,620,235 ± $10,090,807 vs $70,017,473 ± $11,583,911, p < 0.001) and greater reductions in ED LOS (508,569 ± 640,048 bed-hours vs 332,518 ± 774,485 bed-hours, p < 0.001). Reduction in radiation exposure was comparable between the two approaches (8,779,414 ± 2,389,982 mSv vs 8,846,058 ± 2,420,185 mSv, p = 0.536).

Both POCUS-first models can achieve substantial national annual cost savings, ED LOS reduction, and decreases in radiation exposure compared to the traditional CT-first approach. POCUS should be strongly considered as a first-line imaging modality for acute diverticulitis especially among low-risk patients.

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), like several solid tumours, contain heterogeneous subpopulations of a small subset of cancer cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), that are highly relevant to cancer metastasis and invasive properties. CSCs have also shown a high capacity to survive against various stressful environments, such as hypoxia. However, the molecular underpinnings behind the high potential of CSCs to survive under this stress remain unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the significance of autophagy systems in oral CSC maintenance and survival under stress conditions. Human OSCC cell lines OECM-1 and OECM-1 CSCs were cultured in different hypoxic time periods for proliferation and cytotoxicity analyses. The stemness property of CSCs is evaluated by sphere formation, transwell and wound healing assays protein expression of stemness, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers. Mitochondrial functions, including mitochondrial ROS generation, mitochondria dynamics, mitophagy, and mitochondrial metabolism (glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation [OXPHOS]) were examined by western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and XF-seahorse assays, respectively. Under hypoxia, oral CSCs showed a higher proliferation rate with increased invasion/migration/EMT properties than OECM-1 cells. Further, hypoxia-induced BNIP3-driven mitophagy was activated in OECM-1 CSCs than in OECM-1 cells, which also triggered a metabolic shift towards OXPHOS, and BNIP3/-L silencing by siRNA significantly attenuated OECM-1 CSCs stemness features. TCGA data analyses also revealed a higher BNIP3 expression in head and neck squamous carcinoma patients' tumour samples associated with lower patient survival. Collectively, our results revealed a BNIP3/-L-driven autophagy contributes to the OECM-1 CSCs stemness features under hypoxia, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy involving BNIP3 and autophagy inhibition in oral CSCs.

Diverticulitis, an inflammation of diverticula in the colon, can lead to severe complications such as perforation and abscess formation. A 42-year-old female with polycystic kidney disease and chronic kidney disease stage III presented with severe abdominal pain, fever, and inability to tolerate oral intake. The patient was a previous smoker who smoked 0.5 packs per day for 25 years. Initial evaluation revealed leukocytosis and elevated creatinine. A CT scan identified pneumoperitoneum and mild sigmoid diverticulitis, suggesting a perforated viscus. She underwent urgent exploratory laparotomy, which confirmed the CT findings and resulted in an appendectomy, sigmoid colon resection, and ostomy creation. Postoperatively, the patient faced complications, including recurrent pneumoperitoneum and subcutaneous emphysema, detected through follow-up CT scans, leading to further surgical interventions. CT imaging was pivotal in diagnosing, monitoring, and guiding treatment, with noncontrast CT being beneficial given her renal impairment. Early diagnosis and CT imaging are crucial in managing complicated diverticulitis. Postoperative monitoring with CT scans is essential for detecting complications. Follow-up care should include regular colonoscopies to assess diverticular disease and dietary modifications to prevent recurrence. Combining clinical, surgical, and radiologic data ensures effective management and improves patient outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate the non-inferiority of non-contrast CT compared to contrast-enhanced CT with both intravenous and rectal contrast application for the diagnosis of acute colonic diverticulitis. Methods: Five readers retrospectively evaluated the non-contrast and contrast-enhanced series of CTs of 205 consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of acute diverticulitis. Two randomized reading sessions, both containing all 205 cases as either contrast-enhanced or non-contrast (1:1) series, were performed with ≥8 weeks washout between them. The non-inferiority margin was set to 0.1. Results: The pooled prevalence (all readers) of diverticulitis was similar for non-contrast CT (63.9%, range: 60.5-65.0%) and contrast-enhanced CT (64.4%, 61.5-67.8%). Non-contrast CT was non-inferior for the diagnosis of diverticulitis (accuracy 0.90 [95% confidence interval: 0.89, 0.92]) compared to contrast-enhanced CT (0.92 [0.90, 0.94]; the difference in accuracy: -0.01 [-0.04, 0.01]) (normal deviate test: p-valueone-sided = 5.20 × 10-6). Sensitivities for perforation and abscess were slightly but significantly lower for the non-contrast CT than for the contrast-enhanced CT (differences: -0.15 [-0.20, -0.05], -0.17 [-0.27, -0.07]), while no differences in accuracies and specificities were observed. Conclusions: Non-contrast CT is non-inferior to contrast-enhanced CT (intravenous and rectal contrast) for the diagnosis of acute colonic diverticulitis. Contrast-enhanced CT is associated with significantly higher sensitivities for the presence of an abscess or perforation.

Diverticulitis is a common reason for presentation to the Emergency Department (ED). However, as imaging options, risk stratification tools, and antibiotic options have expanded, there is a need for current data on the changes in incidence, computed tomography (CT) performance, antibiotic usage, and disposition over time.

This was a cross-sectional study of ED patients with a diagnosis of diverticulitis from 1/1/2016 to 12/31/2023. Using the Epic Cosmos database, all ED visits for acute diverticulitis were identified using ICD-10 codes. Outcomes included total ED presentations for diverticulitis, admission rates, CTs performed, outpatient antibiotic prescriptions, and antibiotics administered in the ED for admitted patients.

There were 186,138,130 total ED encounters, with diverticulitis representing 927,326 (0.50 %). The rate of diverticulitis diagnosis increased from 0.40 % to 0.56 % over time. The admission rate declined over time from 33.6 % to 27.7 %, while the CT rate rose from 83.0 % to 92.6 %. Among those discharged, 90.4 % received an antibiotic, which remained consistent over time. Metronidazole (55.1 %) and ciprofloxacin (40.8 %) were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, followed by amoxicillin-clavulanate (36.1 %). Among those admitted, most received either metronidazole (62.0 %), a fluoroquinolone (40.4 %), a third-generation cephalosporin (18.9 %), or a penicillin-based agent (38.1 %). Among both discharged and admitted patients, there was a marked shift to penicillin-based agents as the primary antibiotic regimen.

Diverticulitis remains a common ED presentation, with a gradually rising incidence over time. Admission rates have decreased, while CT imaging has become more common. Most patients receive antibiotics, though the specific antibiotic has shifted in favor of penicillin-based agents. These findings can provide key benchmarking data and inform future initiatives to guide imaging and antibiotic use.

Diverticulitis is a relatively common condition in gastroenterology. It is most often presented by inflammation of one or more diverticula, depending on their presence in the colon, and by abdominal pain and bleeding. Bleeding from the diverticulum has a wide range of clinical manifestations, which in a certain percentage of cases can have a very unfavorable course and prognosis. Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a congenital condition with multiple, predominantly positional abnormalities of the organs in relation to their anatomical positions. Unlike bleeding from the diverticulum, SIT occurs very rarely, and cases of diverticulitis and accompanying bleeding from the diverticulum in SIT are extremely rare; there are only a handful of cases described in the literature. In this study, we present the diagnostic challenge of identifying and treating diverticulitis in an elderly patient with SIT and accompanying chronic comorbidities.

Introduction: Acute diverticulitis represents a significant disease burden in the United States and developed world. This article examines current trends in the treatment of acute diverticulitis and concentrates on the utility of antibiotics in acute uncomplicated cases managed in the outpatient setting. Methods: The literature was reviewed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to discern the best practice and recommendations for antibiotics for diverticulitis. The time period included relevant RCTs after 2000. Results: Four recent RCTs examine the use of antibiotics in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. The AVOD study was an RCT that managed inpatients with either antibiotics or IV fluids alone and demonstrated non-inferiority of non-antibiotic management with respect to recovery, complication rates, or recurrence. The DIABLO trial randomized first episodes of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis admitted to the hospital with antibiotics or supportive care and found no difference in morbidity or mortality between the two groups and longer hospital stay for patients treated with antibiotics. The DINAMO study examined outpatients managed with antibiotics by mouth or without and found no difference in morbidity in 90 day follow-up. The STAND study was the only of these four to use a placebo and found no difference between hospital stay or other adverse events at 30 days. In response to this, the ASCRS, AAFP and other societies now recommend against the routine use of antibiotics in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. Conclusions: Several quality studies found similar outcomes in cases of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis treated with or without antibiotics. Based on these findings, societal guidelines do not recommend routine antibiotics for acute diverticulitis.

Introduction: Laparoscopic lavage and drainage (LLD) emerged as an alternative to Hartmann's procedure (HP) for patients with diverticulitis and uncontained perforation. Although initially popular as a less invasive approach, its use in modern practice is in question. This summary will review the available literature to show techniques, outcomes, and indications. Methods: The literature was reviewed for relevant case studies, randomized trials, prospective series, retrospective analyses, and meta-analyses to define peritoneal lavage and determine the clinical outcomes of peritoneal lavage. Results: LLD can be considered on an individual basis for Hinchey III diverticulitis (purulent peritonitis), but there are several contraindications. The extent of adhesionolysis (limited versus extensive) as well as the management of sites of perforation found during surgery are debated. Most surgeons continue lavage with warm saline until water runs clear and place drains in the operation. Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the LADIES, SCANDIV, and DILALA trials compared LLD with either resection and anastomosis or Hartmann's procedure. One other RCT (the LapLAND trial) is still with results pending. The LADIES trial studied LLD versus primary anastomosis and resection in Hinchey III diverticulitis and was terminated early secondary to higher 30-day morbidity in the LLD arm; however, 3-year data showed no significant difference in morbidity and mortality. The SCANDIV trial compared LLD with resection in acute diverticulitis (Hinchey I-III) and saw no difference in 90-day morbidity or mortality; however, it noted higher rates of reoperation in the LLD group. The DILALA trial compared Hinchey III diverticulitis patients undergoing LLD with open HP and found that the LLD group had a lower rate of reoperation at 2 years, but no difference in rates of readmission or mortality. Conclusions: Debate still remains over the technique of LLD and specific indications, as well as outcomes compared with resection and primary anastomosis or HP.

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) refers to mechanical obstruction at the level of the gastric outlet and is associated with significantly impacted quality of life and mortality. Duodenal stenting (DS) offers a minimally invasive approach to managing GOO but is associated with a high risk of stent obstruction. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a novel intervention that uses lumen-apposing metal stents to open the restricted lumen. The current evidence comparing EUS-GE to DS is limited and inconsistent.

We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and clinicaltrials.gov to retrieve studies comparing EUS-GE to DS for GOO. Odds ratios (OR) and mean differences (MD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using the DerSimonian-Laird inverse variance random-effects model. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.

Ten studies with a total of 1275 GOO patients (585: EUS-GE and 690: DS) were included. EUS-GE was associated with statistically significant higher clinical success [OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.64, 3.86; P < .001], lower re-intervention rate [OR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.22; P < .00001], longer procedural time [MD: 20.91; 95% CI: 15.48, 26.35; P < .00001], and lower risk of adverse events [OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.82; P = .007] than DS. Technical success [OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.31, 1.25] and the length of hospital stay [MD: -2.12; 95% CI: -5.23, 0.98] were comparable between the 2 groups.

EUS-GE is associated with higher clinical success, longer total procedural time, lower re-intervention rate, and lower risk of adverse events than DS. Technical success and the length of hospital stay were comparable between the 2 groups. EUS-GE appears to be a safe and effective procedure for managing GOO. Further large, multicentric randomized controlled trials are warranted to investigate the safety and outcomes of EUS-GE in patients with malignant GOO.

Diverticulitis is experiencing a significant increase in prevalence and its widespread in-hospital management results in a high burden on healthcare systems worldwide. This study compared inpatient and outpatient approach of acute non-complicated diverticulitis using a non-selected population in a real-world setting.

This observational retrospective study included all consecutive patients from two Portuguese institutions diagnosed between January 2017 and December 2021 with non-complicated diverticulitis according to the modified Hinchey Classification. The primary endpoints were to identify criteria for inpatient treatment and compare the outcomes on the basis of the treatment regimen. The secondary endpoints were to determine the predictive factors for clinical outcomes, focusing on treatment failure, pain recurrence, and the need for elective surgery following the initial episode.

A total of 688 patients were included in this study, 437 treated as outpatients and 251 hospitalized. Inpatient management was significantly associated with higher preadmission American society of anesthesiologists (ASA) score (p = 0.004), fever (p = 0.030), leukocytosis (p < 0.001), and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001). No significant association was found between failure of conservative treatment and patient's age, ASA score, baseline CRP, presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and inpatient or outpatient treatment regimen. Pain recurrence was significantly associated with higher CRP levels (p = 0.049), inpatient treatment regime (p = 0.009) and post index episode mesalazine prescription (p = 0.006). Moreover, the need for elective surgery was significantly associated with the presence of previous episodes (p = 0.004) and pain recurrence (p < 0.001).

The majority of patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis of the left colon experience successful conservative approach and can be safely managed in an ambulatory setting. Neither treatment failure, recurrence of pain, or need for posterior elective surgery are associated with outpatient treatment regimen.

Recently, a paradigm shift has occurred in the classification of diverticular disease and the understanding of its pathogenesis. Diverticular disease is now defined as a variety of clinically significant conditions such as diverticulitis, diverticular bleeding, symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, and segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis. Low-grade inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, abnormal intestinal motility, and genetic factors have emerged as the key contributors to the pathogenesis of diverticular disease. Routine antibiotic use is no longer recommended for all cases of diverticulitis, and simple recurrence is not an indication for surgical treatment. Early colonoscopy with proper preparation is recommended for the treatment of diverticular bleeding, although recent studies have not shown significant efficacy in preventing recurrence. The roles of dietary fiber, nonabsorbable antibiotics, 5-aminosalicylates, and probiotics in the prevention of diverticular disease are controversial and require further investigation.

The main objective of our study is to analyze the results in our hospital after launching a treatment protocol without antibiotic therapy for patients diagnosed with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis.

Our observational, prospective, single-center study was developed after launching a treatment protocol without antibiotic therapy for patients diagnosed with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD) in January 2021. The follow-up period was from January 1, 2021 to September 30, 2023. Variables evaluated by the study have included demographic and analytical variables, as well as those related to diagnosis and whether the patients needed to start antibiotic treatment, inpatient treatment, or surgical procedures.

In total, 199 patients were diagnosed with AUD, 75 of whom were treated without antibiotic therapy as outpatients. Seven of these patients needed to start antibiotic treatment because of adverse evolution; none of these patients required surgical procedures. The need for inpatient treatment, urgent care, or surgical procedures is similar to the group of patients treated with antibiotics. The main risk factor of failure of outpatient treatment without antibiotic therapy identified by the study was the presence of bacteriuria at diagnosis.

Our results confirm previous reports, observing that treatment without antibiotic therapy in selected patients with AUD is safe.

The DV-QoL is a 17-item questionnaire measuring health-related quality of life in patients affected by symptomatic diverticular disease, covering four domains: physical symptoms, concerns, feelings, and behavioral changes. Given the lack of a diverticulitis-specific questionnaire to be used for German-speaking patients, we prospectively validated the German version of the DV-QoL.

German-speaking patients with CT-confirmed history of recurrent diverticular disease admitted to a Swiss surgical department completed the German version of the DV-QoL, along with short form-36 (SF-36) and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Reliability was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, a Martin-Loef test, and Cronbach's alpha. For convergent validity testing, correlations were calculated with the GIQLI and SF-36. Discriminant validity tests included age and gender.

We included 121 patients, of whom 77 were admissions for elective surgery and 44 presented with acute diverticulitis treated conservatively. The DV-QoL's total score showed good correlations with the GIQLI (r = - 0.77) and its subscales (r = - 0.76 to - 0.45), as well as with the SF-36's subscales (r = - 0.30 to - 0.57). No relationships were found with age or gender (p < 0.05). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.89 over all items and 0.69, 0.90, 0.78, and 0.77 for the four separated domains (physical symptoms, cognitions/concerns, feelings, and behavioral changes, respectively). A nonsignificant Martin-Loef test indicated unidimensionality (p = 1), further supported by the exploratory factor analysis, which showed an item information sharing of 65%.

The German DV-QoL questionnaire can be used as a valid and reliable disease-specific measure for quality of life in patients with recurrent diverticular disease.

This study aims to comprehensively analyze alternative splicing (AS) features in colorectal cancer (CRC) using integrative multi-omics and to elucidate their relationship with the CRC immune microenvironment.

Transcriptomic data, clinical information, and Percent Spliced In (PSI) values of AS events for CRC patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and TCGA SpliceSeq databases. Differentially expressed AS events were identified. Univariate Cox analysis was used to pinpoint prognosis-related AS events. A prognostic risk model was developed and validated using multivariate Cox analysis, patient survival analysis, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), immune infiltration, immunotherapy, chemotherapy sensitivity analyses, and regulatory relationships between AS events and splicing factors (SFs) were conducted. Single-cell sequencing was used to study the distribution of key factors. siRNA and overexpression vectors were utilized to silence/overexpress BCAS1 in CRC cells and evaluate their effects on cell growth, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, the interaction between BCAS1 and ANO7 pre-mRNA was investigated using RIP-PCR.

82 prognosis-related AS events were identified in CRC patients. A 15-AS prognostic model was constructed, which correlated with immune cell infiltration and showed differences in immunotherapy and chemotherapy sensitivity. BCAS1 was identified as a potential regulator of the ANO7|58341|AT splicing event in CRC. Single-cell sequencing analysis revealed the distribution of BCAS1 and ANO7 in cancer stem cells. In vitro experiments demonstrated that overexpression of BCAS1 and silencing of ANO7 inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. Moreover, BCAS1 suppresses the progression of CRC by modulating ANO7 alternative splicing.

This study provides new insights into the role of alternative splicing in colorectal cancer, particularly the potential regulatory action of BCAS1 on the ANO7|58341|AT splicing event. It also identifies the impact of alternative splicing on the tumor microenvironment and potential implications for immunotherapy, highlighting its relevance for the in-depth study and treatment of CRC.

The treatment of diverticulitis is experiencing a shift in management due to a number of large scale clinical trials. For instance, clinicians are beginning to recognize that avoidance of antibiotics in uncomplicated diverticulitis is not associated with worse outcomes. Additionally, while the decision to proceed with elective surgical resection for recurrent uncomplicated disease is less conclusive and favors a patient-centric approach, complicated disease with a large abscess denotes more aggressive disease and would likely benefit from elective surgical resection. Lastly, in patient with acutely perforated diverticulitis who require urgent surgical intervention, laparoscopic lavage is generally not recommended due to high re-intervention rates and the preferred surgical procedure is primary anastomosis with or without diversion due to high morbidity and low rates of Hartmann reversal.

Acute appendicitis supposedly results from appendix obstruction caused by various conditions, including caecal cancer. Here, we report an adenocarcinoma found in the specimen of a 65-year-old man diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The adenocarcinoma was detected in the appendix stump after emergency laparoscopic appendectomy. The patient was diagnosed with caecal cancer based on post-operative lower endoscopy findings, and an additional laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed. Acute appendicitis can occur at any age and may require emergency surgery. It is a benign disease that can be cured entirely by appendectomy in most cases but may result from an underlying malignant disease in some cases, especially in patients >40 years of age. Thus, clinicians should consider the possibility of a malignancy while diagnosing and treating acute appendicitis.

The risk of recurrence is an important consideration when deciding to treat patients medically or with elective colectomy after recovery from diverticulitis. It is unclear whether age is associated with recurrence. This study aimed to examine the relationship between age and the risk of recurrent diverticulitis while considering important epidemiologic factors, such as birth decade.

The Utah Population Database was used to identify individuals with incident severe diverticulitis, defined as requiring an emergency department visit or hospitalization, between 1998 and 2018. This study measured the relationship between age and recurrent severe diverticulitis after adjusting for birth decade and other important variables, such as sex, urban/rural status, complicated diverticulitis, and body mass index using a Cox proportional hazards model.

The cohort included 8606 individuals with a median age of 61 years at index diverticulitis diagnosis. After adjustment, among individuals born in the same birth decade, increasing age at diverticulitis onset was associated with an increased risk of recurrent diverticulitis (hazard ratio [HR] for 10 years, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.1). Among individuals with the same age of onset, those born in a more recent birth decade were also at greater risk of recurrent diverticulitis (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.6-2.3).

Among individuals with an index episode of severe diverticulitis, recurrence was associated with increasing age and more recent birth decade. Clinicians may wish to employ age-specific strategies when counseling patients regarding treatment options after a diverticulitis diagnosis.

Diverticular disease of the colon, previously believed to be rare among Africans, is now an emerging disease entity in many African countries. The increasing morbidity and varied presentations are associated with this.

To determine the prevalence of diverticular disease among patients who underwent lower gastrointestinal endoscopies over a 5-year period and evaluate the common presentations, interventions, and treatment outcomes at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana.

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients who underwent either a colonoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy between January 2017 and December 2021, at the KBTH. The records of patients admitted for complications of diverticular disease over the same period were also reviewed.

A total of 4266 patients underwent lower gastrointestinal endoscopy over the study period. Out of this, 380 were diagnosed with diverticular disease giving a prevalence of 8.91%. This comprised 58.95% male and 41.05% female. Their mean age was 67.02 (standard deviation ± 11.45). The age ranged from 26 to 95 years with a median of 67. Sixty-seven patients with 88 episodes of admission were managed for complications. The average age was 69.26 (SD ± 13.28) and ranged from 40 to 98 years with an interquartile range of 20 years. Complications were predominantly bleeding diverticular disease (94.32%), whereas 5.6% presented with diverticulitis. Ninety percent were managed conservatively, and 10% had surgical intervention.

This study concludes that the prevalence of diverticular disease among Ghanaians undergoing lower gastrointestinal endoscopy is still low and bleeding is the commonest indication for admission which is mostly managed conservatively.

In the healthcare sector, surgery (especially in the operating theatre) is responsible for emission of greenhouse gases, which is a source of global warming. The goal of this largely quantitative assessment is to address three questions on carbon footprint associated with surgery, the role of primary and secondary prevention prior to surgical procedures, and incorporation of the carbon footprint into judgment criteria in research and surgical innovations. It appears that while the impact of surgery on global warming is undeniable, its extent depends on means of treatment and geographical location. Before and after an operation, primary, secondary and tertiary prevention accompanied by surgical sobriety (avoiding unnecessary or unjustified actions) can be virtuous in terms of sustainable development. However, the sanitary benefits of these actions are often opposed to environmental benefit, which has yet to be satisfactorily assessed. Lastly, the carbon footprint has yet to be incorporated into research protocols or the innovations under development. This should impel us not only to sensitize the different healthcare actors to relevant issues, but also to improve working conditions.

As obesity and lifestyle factors become more prevalent in younger populations, we are diagnosing and treating diverticulitis in younger patients. In this study, the demographics, risk factors for the development, and treatment of acute diverticulitis were assessed focusing on patients under the age of 40.

A retrospective review of the electronic medical records of a cohort of subjects diagnosed with diverticulitis was performed. Inclusion criteria included patients aged 18-40 who were treated for acute diverticulitis with or without any complications.

Of the 109 patients, 40 patients required surgery, and 69 patients were managed conservatively. Analysis showed that the Hinchey classification (p<0.001) was the strongest predictor of treatment modality.

As the incidence of diverticulitis has increased in recent decades, so too has the frequency with which elective surgical procedures are performed as treatment. While these procedures are vital components in the management of diverticulitis, the majority of research comparing conservative versus surgical treatments has been done in patients over 50 years old. Although diverticulitis has been classically thought of as a disease of the elderly, it has become more prevalent in younger populations due to the rise of obesity and lifestyle modification in the under-40 population. Although the prevalence of treatment and diagnosis of acute diverticulitis in younger patients has risen, there is a paucity of data surrounding treatment protocols for diverticulitis in association with patient symptoms for patients under the age of 40 years old. Our study has found that there is a higher incidence of complications in diverticulitis in patients under the age of 40. Additionally, when considering the pattern of complication presentation in younger patients with complicated diverticulitis, surgical intervention might not be appropriate. The current treatment algorithm relates diverticulitis complications with surgical interventions. However, our data suggest that patients under the age of 40 presenting with abscesses or strictures may not need surgical intervention. This information could be particularly helpful in guiding physicians and younger patients in selecting the best choice of care and minimizing complications. Additionally, further research should help guide treatment protocol in this specific population of patients, as there is a lack of established guidelines pertaining to diverticulitis surrounding younger patients.

Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema usually result from alveolar rupture and rarely from colonic perforation. Although steroid use has been shown to increase the risk of complicated diverticulitis, there is limited data on the role Addison's disease may play in the development of colonic perforation. We present a rare case of a patient with Addison's disease who presented with hoarseness and was found to have massive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumoretroperitoneum secondary to complicated diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis is a complex, heterogeneous disease process that affects a diverse population of patients. In the elective management of this disease, treatment guidelines have shifted toward patient-centered, individualized decision-making. It is not known what challenges surgeons face as they approach these nuanced treatment decisions in practice.

This study aimed to identify opportunities to support colorectal surgeons in elective diverticulitis treatment.

This was a qualitative study using standardized, semistructured interviews to explore the perspectives of 29 colorectal surgeons recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using an "open-coding" approach.

Interviews with a national sample of colorectal surgeons were conducted from a single center using an online video platform.

This study did not involve patients.

Interviews explored surgeons' experiences treating diverticulitis in the elective setting, focusing on perceived challenges in providing patient-centered care as well as opportunities to improve treatment decisions.

Our qualitative analysis identified an overarching challenge in elective diverticulitis management for surgeons: difficulty ensuring adequate patient understanding of the risks and benefits of various treatments. This was thought to be due to 1) preexisting patient expectations about treatment and 2) lack of data regarding long-term treatment outcomes. Surgeons identified 2 potential opportunities to combat these challenges: 1) patient education and 2) additional research regarding treatment outcomes, with potential for the development of diverticulitis-specific decision support tools.

These results are based on a national sample of colorectal surgeons, but they capture qualitative data that is not intended to provide generalizable findings.

As surgeons work toward providing individualized care for diverticulitis patients, they find it difficult to adequately counsel patients regarding the patient-specific risks of various treatments. The results of this study identify specific contributors to this problem as well as potential targets for intervention, which can guide future efforts to support surgeons in providing patient-centered care. See Video Abstract .

ANTECEDENTES:La diverticulitis es un proceso patológico complejo y heterogéneo que afecta a una población diversa de pacientes. En el manejo electivo de esta enfermedad, las pautas de tratamiento se han desplazado hacia una toma de decisiones individualizada y centrada en el paciente. No se sabe qué desafíos enfrentan los cirujanos al abordar estas decisiones de tratamiento matizadas en la práctica.OBJETIVO:Identificar oportunidades para apoyar a los cirujanos colorrectales en el tratamiento electivo de la diverticulitis.DISEÑO:Este fue un estudio cualitativo que utilizó entrevistas semiestructuradas estandarizadas para explorar las perspectivas de 29 cirujanos colorrectales reclutados mediante una técnica de muestreo intencional. Los datos se analizaron utilizando un enfoque de "codificación abierta".ESCENARIO:Las entrevistas con una muestra nacional de cirujanos colorrectales se realizaron desde un solo centro utilizando una plataforma de video en línea.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Las entrevistas exploraron las experiencias de los cirujanos en el tratamiento de la diverticulitis en el entorno electivo, centrándose en los desafíos percibidos en la prestación de atención centrada en el paciente, así como en las oportunidades para mejorar las decisiones de tratamiento.RESULTADOS:Nuestro análisis cualitativo identificó un desafío general en el manejo de la diverticulitis electiva para los cirujanos: la dificultad para asegurar que el paciente comprenda adecuadamente los riesgos y beneficios de los diversos tratamientos. Se pensó que esto se debía a 1) las expectativas preexistentes del paciente sobre el tratamiento y 2) la falta de datos sobre los resultados del tratamiento a largo plazo. Los cirujanos identificaron dos oportunidades potenciales para combatir estos desafíos: 1) educación del paciente y 2) investigación adicional sobre los resultados del tratamiento, con potencial para el desarrollo de herramientas de apoyo a la toma de decisiones específicas para la diverticulitis.LIMITACIONES:Estos resultados se basan en una muestra nacional de cirujanos colorrectales, pero capturan datos cualitativos que no pretenden proporcionar hallazgos generalizables.CONCLUSIONES:A medida que los cirujanos trabajan para brindar atención individualizada a los pacientes con diverticulitis, les resulta difícil aconsejar adecuadamente a los pacientes sobre los riesgos específicos de los pacientes para los diversos tratamientos. Los resultados de este estudio identifican contribuyentes específicos a este problema, así como objetivos potenciales para la intervención, que pueden guiar los esfuerzos futuros para ayudar a los cirujanos a brindar atención centrada en el paciente. (Traducción-Dr. Felipe Bellolio ).

Left-sided acute diverticulitis in WSES Stage 0-IIb preferentially undergoes conservative management. However, there is limited understanding of the risk factors for failure of this approach. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the decision to perform conservative treatment as well as the predictors of its failure. We included patients with a diagnosis of WSES diverticulitis CT-driven classification Stage 0-IIb treated in the Emergency Surgery Unit of the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation between 2014 and 2020. The endpoints were the comparison between the characteristics and clinical outcomes of acute diverticulitis patients undergoing conservative versus operative treatment. We also identified predictors of conservative treatment failure. A set of multivariable backward logistic analyses were conducted for this purpose. The study included 187 patients. The choice for operative versus conservative treatment was associated with clinical presentation, older age, higher WSES grade, and previous conservative treatment. There were 21% who failed conservative treatment. Of those, major morbidity and mortality rates were 17.9% and 7.1%, respectively. A previously failed conservative treatment as well as a greater WSES grade and a lower hemoglobin value were significantly associated with failure of conservative treatment. WSES classification and hemoglobin value at admission were the best predictors of failure of conservative treatment. Patients failing conservative treatment had non-negligible morbidity and mortality. These results promote the consideration of a combined approach including baseline patients' characteristics, radiologic features, and laboratory biomarkers to predict conservative treatment failure and therefore optimize treatment of acute diverticulitis.

The high incidence of colonic diverticular disease (DD) in the general population is a serious public health problem. According to statistics, DD is among the top five most common colorectal diseases. Complicated course of DD is observed in 12-15% of patients, and in 10.7% of cases can lead to death. Algorithms and recommendations for predicting the complicated course of DD for further prevention have not been developed.

Comparative analysis of clinical data and structural characteristics of the colonic muscular tissue in patients with different course of DD and without colonic diverticula to identify morphological predictors of a complicated DD.

A comparative analysis of clinical data, pathomorphological and ultrastructural changes of the colonic musculature in the surgical material from 68 patients undergoing left-sided hemicolectomy was carried out.

The operative material of 37 patients with complicated course of DD, 19 with uncomplicated course of DD and 12 without diverticula was analyzed. In men, this disease occurs at a younger age than in women (Median age of men 49 (39.5; 61) years, women 66.5 (58; 81) years; U=178, p<0.001). It was shown that the area occupied by connective tissue fibres in the colonic musculature in patients with a complicated DD was 5 times greater (15%) than in observations with an uncomplicated DD (3%) and 50 times greater than in cases without colonic diverticula (0.3%; p<0.001).

The present study demonstrates age- and sex-specific features of DD, as well as significant differences in the prevalence of fibrosis of the colonic musculature, which can be considered as a potential predictor of a complicated course of DD.

The potential risk and subsequent impact of serious complications after pancreatic and colorectal surgery can be significantly reduced through early recognition, correct assessment, and timely initiation of appropriate therapy. Serious gaming (SG) is an innovative teaching method that combines play with knowledge acquisition, increased concentration, and quick decision-making and could therefore be used for clinically oriented education.

This study aims to develop a case-based SG platform for complication management in pancreatic and colorectal surgery, validate the application by comparing game courses of various professional groups in the health care sector, and test the acceptance of the developed platform in the context of clinical education by measuring levels of usability and applicability within the framework of a validity and usefulness analysis.

In this observational trial, a novel SG for management of postoperative complications was developed and prospectively validated in a cohort of 131 human caregivers with varying experience in abdominal surgery. A total of 6 realistic patient cases were implemented, representing common complications after pancreatic and colorectal surgery. Cases were developed and illustrated using anonymized images, data, and histories of postoperative patients. In the prospective section of this study, following a brief case presentation, participants were asked to triage the virtual patient, make an initial suspected diagnosis, and design a 3-step management plan, throughout which the results of selected diagnostic and therapeutic actions were presented. Participants' proposed case management was compared to ideal case management according to clinical guidelines. Usability, applicability, validity, and acceptance of the application were assessed using the Trier Teaching Evaluation Inventory as part of a noncomparative analysis. In addition, a comparative analysis of conventional teaching and learning formats was carried out.

A total of 131 cases were answered. Physicians selected more appropriate therapeutic measures than nonphysicians. In the Trier Teaching Evaluation Inventory, design, structure, relevance, timeliness, and interest promotion were predominantly rated positively. Most participants perceived the application to be superior to conventional lecture-based formats (training courses, lectures, and seminars) in terms of problem-solving skills (102/131, 77.9%), self-reflection (102/131, 77.9%), and usability and applicability (104/131, 79.4%).

Case-based SG has educational potential for complication management in surgery and could thereby contribute to improvements in postoperative patient care.

Minimally invasive surgery uses several procedures with fewer side effects (bleeding, infections, etc.), a shorter hospital stay, and less discomfort following minimally invasive surgery. Laparoscopy was one of the first forms of minimally invasive surgery. It involves doing surgery while using tiny cameras through one or more small incisions, surgical tools along with tubes. Robotic surgery is another kind of minimally invasive procedure. Along with supporting accurate, flexible, and regulated surgical procedures, it provides the physician with a three-dimensional, enlarged view of the operative site. Minimally invasive surgery continues to advance, making it an advantage for patients with a variety of illnesses. Nowadays, many surgeons prefer it to traditional surgery, which frequently necessitates a longer hospital stay and requires larger incisions. Since then, numerous surgical specialties have greatly increased their use of minimally invasive surgery. A minimally invasive procedure is preferred for the majority of patients who require gastrointestinal surgery. Minimally invasive gastrointestinal procedures are just as successful as open procedures and, in some situations, may result in more effective outcomes. While recovery from open surgeries frequently takes five to ten days in the hospital, minimally invasive surgeries are less painful for patients and hasten recovery. It is safe from the perspective of the patient and has a lower postoperative mortality rate. This procedure involves a learning curve among surgeons.

To understand how multimorbidity impacts operative versus nonoperative management of emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions.

EGS is a heterogenous field, encompassing operative and nonoperative treatment options. Decision-making is particularly complex for older patients with multimorbidity.

Using an instrumental variable approach with near-far matching, this national, retrospective observational cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries examines the conditional effects of multimorbidity, defined using qualifying comorbidity sets, on operative versus nonoperative management of EGS conditions.

Of 507,667 patients with EGS conditions, 155,493 (30.6%) received an operation. Overall, 278,836 (54.9%) were multimorbid. After adjustment, multimorbidity significantly increased the risk of in-hospital mortality associated with operative management for general abdominal patients (+9.8%; P = 0.002) and upper gastrointestinal patients (+19.9%, P < 0.001) and the risk of 30-day mortality (+27.7%, P < 0.001) and nonroutine discharge (+21.8%, P = 0.007) associated with operative management for upper gastrointestinal patients. Regardless of multimorbidity status, operative management was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality among colorectal patients (multimorbid: + 12%, P < 0.001; nonmultimorbid: +4%, P = 0.003), higher risk of nonroutine discharge among colorectal (multimorbid: +42.3%, P < 0.001; nonmultimorbid: +55.1%, P < 0.001) and intestinal obstruction patients (multimorbid: +14.6%, P = 0.001; nonmultimorbid: +14.8%, P = 0.001), and lower risk of nonroutine discharge (multimorbid: -11.5%, P < 0.001; nonmultimorbid: -11.9%, P < 0.001) and 30-day readmissions (multimorbid: -8.2%, P = 0.002; nonmultimorbid: -9.7%, P < 0.001) among hepatobiliary patients.

The effects of multimorbidity on operative versus nonoperative management varied by EGS condition category. Physicians and patients should have honest conversations about the expected risks and benefits of treatment options, and future investigations should aim to understand the optimal management of multimorbid EGS patients.

Eosinophils contribute to tissue homeostasis, damage, and repair. The mucosa of colonic diverticula has not been evaluated for eosinophils by quantitative histology. We aimed to investigate whether mucosal eosinophils and other immune cells are increased in colonic diverticula.

Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections from colonic surgical resections (n = 82) containing diverticula were examined. Eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, in five high power fields in the lamina propria were counted at the base, neck, and ostia of the diverticulum and counts compared to non-diverticula mucosa. The cohort was further subgrouped by elective and emergency surgical indications.

Following an initial review of 10 surgical resections from patients with diverticulosis, a total of 82 patients with colonic resections containing diverticula from the descending colon were evaluated (median age 71.5, 42 M/40F). Eosinophil counts for the entire cohort were increased in the base and neck (median 99 and 42, both P = <0.001) compared with the control location (median 16). Eosinophil counts remained significantly increased in the diverticula base (both P = <0.001) and neck (P = 0.01 and <0.001, respectively) in both elective and emergency cases. Lymphocytes were also significantly increased at the diverticula base compared to controls in both elective and emergency subgroups.

Eosinophils are significantly and most strikingly increased within the diverticulum in resected colonic diverticula. While these observations are novel, the role of eosinophil and chronic inflammation is as yet unclear in the pathophysiology of colonic diverticulosis and diverticular disease.

Current leading managements for diverticular disease cannot prevent the recurrence of diverticulitis, bleeding and/or other complications. There is an immediate need for developing new minimal invasive therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat this disease. Through a biomechanical analysis of porcine colon with diverticular lesions, we proposed a novel adhesive patch concept aiming at mechanical reconstruction of the diseased colon wall. This study aims to evaluate the surgical feasibility (safety and efficacy) of pulmonary visceral pleura (PVP) patch therapy using a pig model of diverticulosis. Six female Yucatan miniature pigs underwent collagenase injection (CI) for the development of diverticular lesions. The lesions in each animal either received patch implantation (treated group, n = 40 for 6 pigs) or left intact (untreated group, n = 44 for 6 pigs). The normal colonic wall in each animal received patch implantation at two spots to serve as control (n = 12 for 6 pigs). After 3 months of observation, the performance and safety of the patch treatment were evaluated through macroscopic and histological examination. We found that 95% of pouch-like herniation of the mucosa was prevented from the colon wall with the treatment. The pouch diameter was significantly reduced in the treated group as compared to the untreated group (p < 0.001). The patch application caused a significant increase in the levels of collagen of the colon tissue as compared to the untreated and control groups (p < 0.001). No difference was found in the lymphocyte and macrophage inflammatory infiltrate between the groups. Our results suggest that patch treatment efficiently inhibits the diverticular pouch deformation and promotes the healing of the colon wall with a normal inflammatory response, which may minimize the risk of diverticulosis reoccurrence and complications over time.

Diverticulitis and colorectal cancer (CRC) share epidemiological characteristics, but their relationship remains unknown. It is unclear if prognosis following CRC differ for patients with previous diverticulitis compared to those with sporadic cases and patients with inflammatory bowel disease or hereditary syndromes.

The aim was to determine 5-year survival and recurrence after colorectal cancer in patients with previous diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease and hereditary colorectal cancer compared to sporadic cases.

Patients <75 years of age diagnosed with colorectal cancer at Skåne University Hospital Malmö, Sweden, between January 1st 2012 and December 31st 2017 were identified through the Swedish colorectal cancer registry. Data was retrieved from the Swedish colorectal cancer registry and chart review. Five-year survival and recurrence in colorectal cancer patients with previous diverticulitis were compared to sporadic cases, inflammatory bowel disease associated and hereditary colorectal cancer.

The study cohort comprised 1052 patients, 28 (2.7%) with previous diverticulitis, 26 (2.5%) IBD, 4 (1.3%) hereditary syndromes and 984 (93.5%) sporadic cases. Patients with a history of acute complicated diverticulitis had a significantly lower 5-year survival rate (61.1%) and higher recurrence rate (38.9%) compared to sporadic cases (87.5% and 18.8% respectively).

Patients with acute complicated diverticulitis had worse 5-year prognosis compared to sporadic cases. The results emphasize the importance of early detection of colorectal cancer in patients with acute complicated diverticulitis.

The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the balance between host health and obesity. The composition of the gut microbiota can be influenced by external factors, among which diet plays a key role. As the source of dietary protein is important to achieve weight loss and gut microbiota modulation, in the literature there is increasing evidence to suggest consuming more plant proteins than animal proteins. In this review, a literature search of clinical trials published until February 2023 was conducted to examine the effect of different macronutrients and dietary patterns on the gut microbiota in subjects with overweight and obesity. Several studies have shown that a higher intake of animal protein, as well as the Western diet, can lead to a decrease in beneficial gut bacteria and an increase in harmful ones typical of obesity. On the other hand, diets rich in plant proteins, such as the Mediterranean diet, lead to a significant increase in anti-inflammatory butyrate-producing bacteria, bacterial diversity and a reduction in pro-inflammatory bacteria. Therefore, since diets rich in fiber, plant protein, and an adequate amount of unsaturated fat may help to beneficially modulate the gut microbiota involved in weight loss, further studies are needed.

Recommendations for surgery of diverticular abscesses continue to evolve. This study aimed to examine the short- and long-term results of nonoperative management of diverticular abscesses while analyzing granular data to assess for predictive factors for successful treatment.

We analyzed patients admitted with diverticular abscesses at Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital from 2010 to 2020 who received initial planned nonoperative management. Short-term failure was defined as requiring surgery within 60 days of diagnosis, whereas long-term failure was defined as requiring surgery beyond 60 days. Successful treatment was defined as treatment that did not require surgery.

In total, 857 patient charts were individually analyzed. Sixty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up period was 48 months. Nineteen (30.2%) patients experienced short-term failure of nonoperative management, whereas 6 (9.5%) patients experienced long-term failure. Surgery was successfully avoided in the remaining 41 (60.3%) patients. Abscess size was significantly associated with success rate (< 3 cm, 85.7%; 3-5 cm, 42.3%; > 5 cm, 33.3%; p = 0.001). When corrected for the abscess size, percutaneous drainage did not affect the requirement for eventual surgery.

Nonoperative management is a reasonable option for diverticular abscesses and is particularly successful in patients with abscesses < 3 cm in diameter. Although sometimes performed in conjunction with nonoperative management, percutaneous drainage does not decrease the requirement for eventual surgery. Elective surgery should be considered for patients with larger abscesses. Future prospective studies may further clarify the role of the nonoperative management of diverticular abscesses.

Diverticular disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder with increasing prevalence in advanced age. This study aimed to investigate the impact of age and complexity of diverticulitis on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and stress-related disorders. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 patients, including adults (18-64 years) with complicated diverticular disease, the elderly (≥65 years) with complicated diverticular disease, and a control group with uncomplicated symptomatic diverticular disease. HRQoL and stress-related disorders were assessed using the SF-36, GIQLI, HADS, and PHQ-9 questionnaires at baseline and six months after the initial episode of diverticulitis. At diagnosis, the adult group had significantly lower mean physical and mental scores compared with the elderly and control groups (p < 0.001). At the 6-month follow-up, the mean physical score increased for all groups, but the difference between adults and the elderly remained significant (p = 0.028). The adult group had a significantly lower mean GIQLI score at diagnosis compared with the elderly and control groups (p < 0.001), although after 6 months it increased and the difference became insignificant. Anxiety scores at diagnosis were significantly higher in the adult group compared with the control group (p = 0.009). The complexity of diverticulitis and age significantly impacted HRQoL at diagnosis, with adults having lower physical and mental scores compared with elderly patients and controls. Although improvements were observed after 6 months, the difference between adults and the elderly remained significant for physical HRQoL scores. This highlights the need for tailored management strategies and psychosocial support to optimize patient outcomes across age groups and diverticulitis complexity.

Acute diverticulitis is one of the most prevalent complications of diverticular disease and may result in abscess formation, perforation, fistula formation, obstruction, or bleeding. Diverticular abscesses may be initially treated with antibiotics and/or percutaneous drainage and/or surgery. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage techniques are increasingly used as a minimally invasive alternative to percutaneous or surgical approaches, as they are associated with better treatment outcomes, shorter recovery time and duration of hospitalization.

A 57-year-old female presented to the emergency department on account of abdominal pain and fever. Clinical examination revealed tenderness in the left lower abdominal quadrant, with elevated inflammatory markers in laboratory tests. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed an 8 cm × 8 cm × 5 cm well-encapsulated abscess of the sigmoid colon, surrounded by numerous diverticula. A diagnosis of Hinchey II diverticular abscess was made, and the patient was admitted and commenced on appropriate antibiotic treatment. A transrectal EUS showed a fluid collection in direct contact with the sigmoid colon. Transluminal drainage was performed, and a lumen-apposing metal stent was inserted into the abscess collection. A follow-up CT scan showed a regression of the collection. The patient's general condition improved, and the stent was removed during a follow-up transrectal EUS that revealed no visible collection.

We report the first successful management of a pelvic abscess in patient with Hinchey II acute diverticulitis using EUS-guided transluminal drainage in Slovenia. The technique appears effective for well-encapsulated intra-abdominal abscesses larger than 4 cm in direct contact with the intestinal wall of left colon.

In the West, diverticular disease is located mainly in the left colon. However, it can also present in the right colon, with an incidence of 1% to 2% in Caucasians. The purpose of this study was to describe our experience in right-sided acute diverticulitis (RD).

In this retrospective study, 410 patients with acute diverticulitis treated from 2013 to 2020 were included in a university hospital in Córdoba, Argentina. Colonic diverticulitis was stratified into 2 groups; RD and left-sided acute diverticulitis. Demographic and clinical variables, laboratory and imaging findings, type of treatment, follow-up, and recurrence were analyzed.

Sixteen patients (3.9%) with RD were identified; 62.5% were male and the mean age was 40.7±11.7 years. A total of 81.3% were Caucasian and 18.7% Native American. Significant differences were found between both groups of diverticulitis; patients with RD were younger (P=0.001), with lower BMI (P=0.01), comorbidity rate (P=0.01), Charlson comorbidity index (P=0.02), hospital stay (P=0.01), severity according to the Hinchey classification (P=0.001) and had a lower recurrence rate (P=0.001). There were no significant differences in sex (P=0.95), duration of pain until admission (P=0.05), laboratory findings (P=0.23) and treatment (P=0.34).

Conservative treatment predominated in RD, with a lower rate of complications and recurrences, providing data that support conservative therapy as initial treatment in RD in our environment.

Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease (SUDD) is a syndrome within the diverticular disease spectrum, characterized by local abdominal pain with bowel movement changes but without systemic inflammation. This narrative review reports current knowledge, delivers practical guidance, and reveals challenges for the clinical management of SUDD. A broad and common consensus on the definition of SUDD is still needed. However, it is mainly considered a chronic condition that impairs quality of life (QoL) and is characterized by persistent left lower quadrant abdominal pain with bowel movement changes (eg, diarrhea) and low-grade inflammation (eg, elevated calprotectin) but without systemic inflammation. Age, genetic predisposition, obesity, physical inactivity, low-fiber diet, and smoking are considered risk factors. The pathogenesis of SUDD is not entirely clarified. It seems to result from an interaction between fecal microbiota alterations, neuro-immune enteric interactions, and muscular system dysfunction associated with a low-grade and local inflammatory state. At diagnosis, it is essential to assess baseline clinical and Quality of Life (QoL) scores to evaluate treatment efficacy and, ideally, to enroll patients in cohort studies, clinical trials, or registries. SUDD treatments aim to improve symptoms and QoL, prevent recurrence, and avoid disease progression and complications. An overall healthy lifestyle - physical activity and a high-fiber diet, with a focus on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables - is encouraged. Probiotics could effectively reduce symptoms in patients with SUDD, but their utility is missing adequate evidence. Using Rifaximin plus fiber and Mesalazine offers potential in controlling symptoms in patients with SUDD and might prevent acute diverticulitis. Surgery could be considered in patients with medical treatment failure and persistently impaired QoL. Still, studies with well-defined diagnostic criteria for SUDD that evaluate the safety, QoL, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of these interventions using standard scores and comparable outcomes are needed.

Non-operative treatment is the mainstay of colonic diverticulitis, but some patients require surgery due to non-operative treatment failure. This study aims to identify risk factors for the failure of non-operative treatment of colonic diverticulitis. From January 2011 to December 2020, we retrospectively reviewed 2362 patients with non-operative treatment for first-attack acute diverticulitis. Patients were categorized into non-operative treatment success or failure groups. Clinical characteristics and serum inflammatory markers were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression to determine risk factors for non-operative treatment failure of colonic diverticulitis. Overall, 2.2% (n = 50) of patients underwent delayed surgery within 30 days (median 4.0 [3.0; 8.0]) due to non-operative treatment failure. Multivariable logistic regression identified that platelet to lymphocyte ratio (odds ratio [OR], 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05-0.13; p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.01-0.09; p = 0.025), left-sided colonic diverticulitis (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 0.04-0.13; p < 0.001), and modified Hinchey classification (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 0.09-0.17; p < 0.001) were risk factors for non-operative treatment failure. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a potential risk factor for the non-operative treatment failure of acute first-attack colonic diverticulitis. Therefore, patients with higher PLR during non-operative treatment should be monitored with special caution.

Diverticulosis and the subsequent progression to diverticular disease and diverticulitis is becoming more prevalent in western countries. The cause for this progression is not known. Diverticulitis is a significant health burden - both financially to healthcare systems, and to the patients it affects in terms of morbidity. There is a dearth of research pertaining to diverticulitis and its impact on continence. This article examines the parallels between irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease, which have many symptom similarities, the overlap between the conditions, and the impact on continence. Current studies regarding the role of fibre in managing diverticular disease are also discussed.