Diverticular Disease (DD) of the Digestive Tract. Classification, Types of Complications, and Treatment

IntroductionDiverticular disease (DD) of the digestive system is a common disease with an increasing incidence recorded. The most frequently affected anatomical areas are the distal sections of the large intestine, namely the distal colon and sigmoid colon.AimThe aim of this article is to investigate the frequency of DD, the position of the diverticula, the types of complications and treatment.Material and MethodsThe study was single-center, retro- and prospective, covering 1,879 patients hospitalized at the General Hospital in Pleven for the period 01.01.2022–01.06.2023. A total of 66 patients (3.5%) were diagnosed with DD. Both sexes were affected equally.ResultsThe complications were as follows: bleeding in 39 (59%) patients, and 12 (18%) had the presence of an inflammatory process. Eleven of the patients (16.6%) were operated on. In 27% Hartmann’s resection was performed, in 72%—partial resection or hemicolectomy with primary anastomosis. We have no lethal outcomes in the studied patient group. The operated patients were evaluated according to CDD, Modified Hinchey and Hansen-Stock classifications.ConclusionThe most frequent factors affecting the incidence of DD are the increased survival rate of the population, inadequate prevention of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) diseases, constipation, disturbances in the dietary regimen. The GIT parts affected by DD in the group of patients was of the Western type, i.e., mainly on the left. The most common complication is bleeding, which in most cases is controlled with medication. Operative treatment was applied in cases of diagnosed peritonitis and/or unsatisfactory result of antibiotic treatment