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Meta-Analysis
. 2020 Oct;63(10):1466-1473.
doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000001787.

Recurrence of Acute Right Colon Diverticulitis Following Nonoperative Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Yongjin F Lee  1 , Dalun D Tang  1 , Samik H Patel  1 , Michael A Battaglia  2 , Beth-Ann Shanker  1 , Robert K Cleary  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Recurrence of Acute Right Colon Diverticulitis Following Nonoperative Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Yongjin F Lee et al. Dis Colon Rectum. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Background: There are currently no guidelines on the management of right colon diverticulitis. Treatment options have been extrapolated from the management of left-sided diverticulitis. Gaining knowledge of the risk and morbidity of diverticulitis recurrence is integral to weighing the benefit of elective surgery for right-sided diverticulitis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to summarize the recurrence rate and the morbidity of recurrence of Hinchey classification I/II, right-sided diverticulitis following nonoperative management.

Data sources: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database of Collected Reviews were searched up to June 2019.

Study selection: Observational cohort studies evaluating outcomes following nonoperative management were reviewed. No randomized controlled trials were available.

Interventions: Intravenous antibiotics with or without percutaneous drainage of associated abscess were administered.

Main outcome measures: The primary outcomes measured were the recurrence rate and morbidity associated with recurrence. Two independent investigators extracted data. The rates of recurrence were pooled by using a random-effects model.

Results: There were 1584 adult participants from a total of 11 studies (9 retrospective cohort and 2 prospective cohort studies) included in the analysis. Over a median follow-up period of 34.2 months, the pooled recurrence rate was 12% (95% CI, 10%-15%). Twenty of 202 patients (9.9%) required urgent surgery at the time of first recurrence. There was no mortality. Subset analysis excluding 3 studies that included percutaneous drainage as a nonoperative treatment option did not change the recurrence rate (12% (95% CI, 9%-15%)) or heterogeneity. Funnel plot assessment revealed no publication bias.

Limitations: There were no randomized controlled trials available. The statistical heterogeneity was moderate (I = 46%).

Conclusions: Nonoperative management of Hinchey I/II right-sided diverticulitis is safe and feasible. The recurrence rate is relatively low, and complications that require urgent operation are uncommon.

Prospero: CRD42019131673.

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