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

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.