Evaluation of laparoscopic peritoneal lavage for perforated diverticulitis: a national registry-based study

Abstract Background Laparoscopic lavage (LPL) has been suggested for treatment of non-feculent perforated diverticulitis. In this observational study, the surgical treatment of diverticular disease in Sweden outside prospective trials was investigated. Methods This population-based study used the National Patient Register to identify all patients in Sweden with emergency admissions for diverticular disease, as defined by ICD codes from July 2014 to December 2020. Demographics, surgical procedures and outcomes were assessed. In addition, register data since 1997 were retrieved to assess co-morbidities, previous abdominal surgeries, and previous admissions for diverticular disease. Results Among 47 294 patients with emergency hospital admission, 2035 underwent LPL (427 patients) or sigmoid resection (SR, 1608 patients) for diverticular disease. The mean follow-up was 30.8 months. Patients selected for LPL were younger, healthier and with less previous abdominal surgery for diverticular disease than those in the SR group (P 0.01). LPL was associated with shorter postoperative hospital stay (mean 9.4 versus 14.9 days, P 0.001) and lower 30-day mortality (3.5% versus 8.7%, P 0.001). Diverticular disease–associated subsequent surgery was more common in the SR group than the LPL group except during the first year (P 0.001). LPL had a lower mortality rate during the study period (stratified HR 0.70, 95% c.i. 0.53–0.92, P = 0.023). Conclusion Laparoscopic lavage constitutes a safe alternative to sigmoid resection for selected patients judged clinically to require surgery.