Reason: Diverticulitis often presents itself as abdominal pain and can be a surgical emergency. The condition is caused when pouches in the colon—called diverticula—become inflamed. This is usually due to blockage caused by feces or food particles, like popcorn or nuts. Diverticulitis is generally diagnosed by symptoms and can often be confirmed with a CT scan and fixed with Bowel Surgery.
Preparation: If the diverticulitis requires emergency surgery, Dr. Harrison may have to place you with a colostomy pouch until your colon recovers. This procedure often can be reversed in 3-6 months.
If emergency surgery is not necessary, you will undergo mechanical bowel preparation, using an enema or laxatives to cleanse the colon. In addition, you will need a colonoscopy prior to surgery to ensure that the CT scan findings are truly diverticulitis and not something more worrisome, like cancer.
Bowel Surgery Procedure: Emergency treatment of diverticulitis will require open surgery. However, if your surgery is elective, depending on the severity of the disease, Dr. Harrison can often perform the operation laparoscopically.
Post Procedure: Colon and bowel surgery usually require a 2-5 day hospital stay. This is to ensure that you can tolerate a liquid diet.
Follow-Up: Dr. Harrison will want to see you at his office for a follow-up appointment in 1-2 weeks to discuss your pathology and ensure you are doing well.