Quality of Life and Surgery in Diverticular Disease

Diverticular disease is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in industrial countries. Prevalence and admission rate due to diverticular disease increases. Symptomatic patients usually present with acute uncomplicated or complicated diverticulitis. Recurrence rates of complicated diverticulitis are estimated to 10-30%. Recurrences, chronic complications or persisting pain, here collectively referred to as chronic diverticular disease, may be treated by elective sigmoidectomy. Currently, there is no specific criteria for elective surgery, but only a recommendation of a tailored approach depending on the patient's symptoms. It is well established that diverticular disease has a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy may increase QoL. In this prospective study, we will prospectively examine QoL, patient-related outcomes and peri- and postoperative outcome of elective sigmoidectomy for chronic diverticular disease, and compare it to conservatively treated patients.