Diverticular disease of the colon in Japan.

In order to clarify characteristics of diverticular disease in Japan, 625 patients with diverticular disease were studied. The frequency was 13.3% and increasing with years. The right-sided type was seen in 68.8% and was common in the younger patients. 77 patients were complicated with diverticulitis; 61 presented right sided diverticulitis and 16 left-sided diverticulitis. Most of those with right-sided diverticulitis recovered with medical treatment successfully. Drainage and supplemental appendectomy were recommended procedure for emergency operation. Patients with recurring inflammation should receive elective right hemicolectomy. Intraluminal pressure studies disclosed abnormal motility with high intraluminal pressure of the ascending colon in the patients with right-sided diverticular disease. This abnormal motility might play an important role in the pathogenesis of right-sided diverticular disease.