Acute complications of jejuno-ileal pseudodiverticulosis: surgical implications and management

Abstract

Acute inflammatory complications of jejuno-ileal pseudodiverticulosis that necessitate surgical intervention are attended by excessive mortality rates of 20 to 40 per cent primarily because of delay in diagnosis. Early diagnosis is confused by the frequent coexistence of other gastrointestinal pathology, most commonly perforated gastric or duodenal ulcers, colonic pseudodiverticulitis, and acute appendicitis with rupture. Resection of pseudodiverticula-containing segments with primary reanastomosis is the preferred method of surgical management for perforation, bleeding, and obstruction. Recommendations are made for more accurate and earlier detection and management.