Safety and efficacy of outpatient management for elderly patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis

Results of a national survey about the management of patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis

INTRODUCTION

Management of patients diagnosed of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis has evolved lately and according to the latest guidelines, outpatient treatment and management without antibiotherapy may be used in selected patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the adhesión among national centres to these and others recommendations related to this pathology.

METHODS

An online national survey, that has been broadcast by several applications, was performed. The results obtained were statistically analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 104 surgeons participated, representing 69 national hospitals. Of those, in 82.6% of the centres, outpatient management is performed for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. 23.2% of the hospitals have a protocol stablished for treatment without antibiotherapy in selected patients. Centres that do not follow these protocols allege that the mean reasons are the logistic difficulties to set them up (49.3%) and the lack of current evidence for it (44.8%). Significative statistical differences have been found when comparing the establishment of such protocols between centres with advanced accredited units and those who are not, with higher rates of outpatient management and treatment without antibiotics in accredited units (p ≤ .05).

CONCLUSIONS

In spite that this a very common disease, there is a huge national heterogeneity in its treatment. This is why it would adviseable to unify diagnostic and treatment criteria by the collaboration of scientific societies and the simplification of the development of hospitalary protocols.