Diverticulitis happens when the diverticulosis or the pouches that form in the colon's wall become inflamed or infected. Although physicians are not sure what causes the pouches to form in the intestinal lining, some theories suggest that lack of fiber in the diet causes stress in the wall especially when one has a hard time pushing their stool out. The bacteria trapped in the pouches often cause the infection and if these pouches become inflamed, the doctor recommends surgery.
Should You Decide to Have a Surgery?
For many patients that have mild symptoms, treatments such as medication and modification of diet would readily resolve the problem. However, for people who experience the following symptoms, they should consider having surgery done.
- experience several severe attacks
- diagnosed with fistula or an abnormal opening found in the colon
- developed an abscess or infection
- severe bleeding that does not stop
- where the infection has already spread in the abdominal cavity
- presence of bowel obstruction
Types of Surgery Performed for Diverticulitis
Depending on the type of symptom and diagnosis by the physician, below are the different surgical treatments available to the patient.
- Partial Colectomy or Bowel Resection
- this surgery involves the removal of the affected part and is usually done in the large intestine or large colon area.
- Proctocolectomy - this surgery involves the removal of the entire large intestine (colon) as well as the rectum.
- Subtotal colectomy - this surgery involves the removal of the colon but not the rectum.
- Colostomy - this procedure involves several steps where the diseased part is removed and a bag is attached to the opening until the remaining parts heal. Once the parts are healed, the surgeon would sew the two parts together. In certain instances, when the lower area and rectum are removed, the bag would remain permanent.
What Happens After Surgery
Patients that have undergone surgery may expect to stay a week or so in the hospital depending on the type of surgery. For patients that have colostomy done, another surgery may be scheduled after two to three months to re-attach the colon. For patients that have only one surgery done, recovery period would be between a month or two. It is important to make a follow-up appointment with the doctor to check if the surgery is successful as sometimes problems may arise.
Medical Disclaimer: The medical information provided is for information purposes only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Should You Decide to Have a Surgery?
For many patients that have mild symptoms, treatments such as medication and modification of diet would readily resolve the problem. However, for people who experience the following symptoms, they should consider having surgery done.
- experience several severe attacks
- diagnosed with fistula or an abnormal opening found in the colon
- developed an abscess or infection
- severe bleeding that does not stop
- where the infection has already spread in the abdominal cavity
- presence of bowel obstruction
Types of Surgery Performed for Diverticulitis
Depending on the type of symptom and diagnosis by the physician, below are the different surgical treatments available to the patient.
- Partial Colectomy or Bowel Resection
- this surgery involves the removal of the affected part and is usually done in the large intestine or large colon area.
- Proctocolectomy - this surgery involves the removal of the entire large intestine (colon) as well as the rectum.
- Subtotal colectomy - this surgery involves the removal of the colon but not the rectum.
- Colostomy - this procedure involves several steps where the diseased part is removed and a bag is attached to the opening until the remaining parts heal. Once the parts are healed, the surgeon would sew the two parts together. In certain instances, when the lower area and rectum are removed, the bag would remain permanent.
What Happens After Surgery
Patients that have undergone surgery may expect to stay a week or so in the hospital depending on the type of surgery. For patients that have colostomy done, another surgery may be scheduled after two to three months to re-attach the colon. For patients that have only one surgery done, recovery period would be between a month or two. It is important to make a follow-up appointment with the doctor to check if the surgery is successful as sometimes problems may arise.
Medical Disclaimer: The medical information provided is for information purposes only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.