• Startseite
• da Vinci Chirurgie
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED
• Chirurgen-Datenbank

• Startseite
• *
• *
• *
• DISPLAYNAME NOT DEFINED

• E-Mail
• Drucken

Diverticulitis Treatment Options

Treatment for diverticulitis depends on how severe the symptoms are, how many episodes the patient has experienced, and the age of the patient. Generally, treatment focuses on clearing up the inflammation and infection, resting the colon, and preventing or minimizing complications.

For mild to moderate symptoms, the doctor may recommend bed rest, oral antibiotics, a pain reliever, and a liquid diet. If symptoms go away after a few days, the doctor will recommend gradually increasing the amount of high-fiber foods in the diet.

Cases of diverticulitis with severe pain and complications will likely require a hospital stay. Most cases of severe diverticulitis are treated with antibiotics and a few days without food or drink to help the colon rest. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Surgery

Your doctor may recommend colon surgery (called a colectomy or colon resection), if antibiotics and resting the colon are not effective. During surgery, doctors remove the affected part of your colon and the remaining healthy bowel is joined together. This reconnection of the colon is called an anastomosis. Surgery on your right colon (ascending) is called a right colectomy; surgery on your left colon (descending) is a left colectomy; and surgery on the sigmoid colon (lower left colon just before the rectum) is called a sigmoid colectomy.

The goal of surgery is to prevent complications and future diverticulitis. The doctor may also recommend a colectomy for complications such as a fistula or partial intestinal obstructions. A fistula is an abnormal connection of tissue between two organs or between an organ and the skin. A partial intestinal obstruction results from scarring (caused by infection) that blocks the intestine.

Immediate surgery may be needed if the patient has other complications such as:

• Complete intestinal obstruction
• Heavy rectal bleeding
• Perforation or tear in the colon or intestine
• Large abscess (collection of pus that swells and can destroy tissue)
• Peritonitis (perforations leak pus from the colon and form a large abscess in the abdominal cavity)

In these cases, two surgeries may be needed because it is not safe to rejoin the colon right away. During the first surgery, the surgeon cleans the infected abdominal cavity, removes the portion of the affected colon, and performs a temporary colostomy - creating an opening, or stoma, in the abdomen. The end of the colon is connected to the opening to allow normal eating while healing occurs. Stool is collected in a pouch attached to the stoma. In the second surgery several months later, the surgeon rejoins the ends of the colon and closes the stoma.

A colectomy can be performed using traditional open surgery but it is highly invasive since it requires a long incision that often leads to a lengthy recovery.  Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive but has certain limitations due to the long-handled, rigid instruments used during the operation. There is another surgical option that is minimally invasive and overcomes the limits of open and laparoscopic surgery.

da Vinci® Surgery for Diverticulitis

If your doctor recommends surgery to treat diverticulitis, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive da Vinci Surgery (right, left or sigmoid colectomy). Using the most advanced technology available, the da Vinci Surgical System allows your doctor to operate through a few tiny incisions with breakthrough vision, precision, control, and improved access to the affected area. da Vinci Surgery offers diverticulitis patients such potential benefits as:

• Low blood loss⁷
• Quick return of bowel function⁸
• Quick return to diet⁸
• Shorter hospital stay⁸

The da Vinci System is a state-of-the-art surgical platform with 3D, high-definition vision and patented surgical instruments that takes surgery beyond the limits of the human hand. By overcoming the challenges of traditional open and laparoscopic surgery, da Vinci is changing the experience of surgery for people around the world.

• The da Vinci Surgical System
• FAQs
• Am I A Candidate?
• Important Safety Information

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed since surgery is specific to each patient, condition and procedure. It is important to talk to your doctor about all treatment options, including the risks and benefits. This information can help you make the best decision for your situation.