[The indications for prophylactic colectomy in diverticular disease].

Still controversial is the role of surgery in symptomatic colon diverticular disease, outside the major complications. In such circumstances the surgeon has to comfort himself with diagnostic and then with operative choices, and also the preventive colectomy has to be considered. To make a correct decision very important is the global evaluation of the patient, for age, sex life habits, other existing pathologies, general condition. Also unsolved doubt for a neoplastic evolution has its worth.