Simplified outpatient management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis: A cohort study.

INTRODUCTION

Traditional management of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis (UAD) includes antibiotic therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and dietary restriction, albeit recent evidence questions their benefit. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an outpatient protocol without antibiotic therapy, NSAIDs, or dietary restriction.

METHODS

A single-center prospective study was conducted within the time frame of 2022 and 2024. Patients with UAD were divided into a historic cohort (HC), treated with the traditional protocol, and a study group (SG), treated with the new, simplified protocol. The results were comparatively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 143 patients (77 HC, 66 SG) with comparable baseline characteristics were included. There were no significant differences in readmission, recurrence, clinical progression, persistent pain, colonic neoplasm, or emergency surgery. Elective surgery was more frequent in the HC (10% vs 1%; p=0.038).

CONCLUSION

Outpatient management without antibiotic therapy, NSAIDs, or dietary restriction may be a safe and efficacious strategy in selected patients.