Diverticulitis surgery involves the removal of part of thecolonto treatdiverticulitis.
Those with diverticulitis can experience a variety of symptoms, includingabdominal painandconstipation.
Most cases of diverticulitis can be treated with medical therapies like aclear liquid dietand antibiotics.
JUAN GAERTNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images
JUAN GAERTNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images
What Is Diverticulitis Surgery?
Diverticulitis surgery is performed undergeneral anesthesiaby ageneral surgeonorcolon and rectal surgeon.
The surgery may be scheduled or performed urgently, depending on the reason why it’s being done.
Verywell / Laura Porter
There are two main types of diverticulitis surgery.
The punch in performed depends on factors like the health status of the patient and surgeon’s preference/experience.
There is also a relatively novel punch in of diverticulitis surgery calledlaparoscopic lavage and drainage (LLD).
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
This surgery involves washing out the infected fluid and placing a drain.
As such, LLD is generally reserved for a select group of patients.
Larger, welldesigned studies are needed to better compare these two approaches.
Location
Diverticulitis surgery is usually performed in a hospital or surgical center.
What to Wear
On the day of your surgery, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.
Avoid wearing makeup, lotions, deodorant, perfume, or cologne.
Leave all valuables, including jewelry, at home.
Avoid shaving or waxing your abdominal area starting two days before your operation.
Food and Drink
Starting 24 hours before your surgery, only drink water or otherclear liquids.
Avoid drinking anything two hours before your scheduled arrival time.
Medications
Stop taking certain medications, vitamins, or supplements around seven days prior to surgery.
That said, stopping suddenly may lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including serious ones, likeseizuresor delirium.
Smoking increases your risk for breathing problems during and after surgery.
Your surgeon can refer you to asmoking cessation programfor support and guidance if needed.
When the team is ready, you will be wheeled on a gurney into the operating room.
The anesthesiologist will give you inhaled or intravenous medication to put you to sleep.
You will not remember anything that occurs during the procedure after this point.
Next, a breathing tube called anendotracheal tubewill be inserted through your mouth and into your windpipe.
This tube is connected to aventilatorthat takes control of your breathing during the operation.
AFoley catheterwill be placed to drain urine from your bladder during the surgery.
This surgery may take three or more hours.
It’s normal to experience some pain, nausea, and drowsiness as the anesthesia wears off.
Your nurse can give you medication to help control your symptoms.
You will stay in the hospital for around two to four nights.
Once you are sent home, it’s important to carefully follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions.
Pat the sites dry with a clean towel.
If you have non-dissolvable sutures or staples, your surgeon will remove them at a follow-up appointment.
With colostomy reversal surgery, the two ends of the colon are reconnected and the stoma is closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the potential complications of diverticulitis surgery?
Sometimes a surgeon will place a tube called a stent in one or both ureters to lower this risk.
If your surgeon does recommend elective surgery, know that it’s normal to feel anxious about the idea.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Diverticular Disease Expanded Information.
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.About your colon resection surgery.
doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2012.10.011
University of California San Francisco Health.Monitoring Hydration with an Ostomy.
Lamont, JT ed.
