BY DEAN PAPPAS M.D.
At Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York, we provide exceptional care for a full range of colon conditions, including diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from the negligible to the extremely painful. In some cases, the condition can even be debilitating, making it impossible to live life to the fullest. Our specialists use the most advanced technologies and techniques available to treat diverticulitis when surgery becomes the necessary course of action.
It should be noted that surgery is not always the recommended course of treatment for diverticulitis. Surgical diverticulitis treatment at our Long Island, NY practice may be recommended if more conservative treatment options have been attempted but failed to yield adequate results. There are also instances in which the inflammation or infection is so severe that surgery is clearly the best course of action to provide relief.
Diverticulitis Explained
Diverticula are actually quite common, yet most people who have them are unaware that they do. These tiny pouches that form in the digestive system, and most often in the lower part of the colon, are usually harmless. However, if they become infected or inflamed, problems can begin to develop, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain and tenderness in the abdomen
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Diverticulitis generally does not require aggressive treatment, with the vast majority of cases resolving on their own. Rest is often all that is required, although dietary changes and a course of antibiotics may also be advised.
Diverticulitis Surgery
Surgery should generally be considered a last resort as a treatment for diverticulitis. You may require diverticulitis surgery if your condition involves:
- A blockage in the colon
- Ruptured diverticula
- The formation of an abnormal passage called a fistula between parts of the bowel or between the bowel and the bladder
- The development of an abscess
- Is recurrent
If necessary, our surgeons can perform laparoscopic primary bowel resection surgery, during which the diseased portions of your colon are meticulously removed, and the healthy portions are attached to one another. Because this surgery is performed using laparoscopic tools and methods, the removal of the diseased parts of the colon and attachment of the healthy parts are accomplished through extremely small incisions, thereby ensuring the quickest and smoothest recovery possible. This also makes for a safer surgery. While no surgical procedure is free from risks, laparoscopic primary bowel resection has an exceptional record of safety and success, with most patients being able to return to their normal routines within two weeks. Indeed, most patients find themselves experiencing a dramatically improved quality of life, free from the pain that kept them from enjoying life as much as they would have liked prior to surgery.
Learn More about Diverticulitis Treatment
If you would like to learn more about diverticulitis treatment, or if you wish to schedule a consultation with one of our renowned surgeons, we encourage you to contact Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York today. We would be pleased to answer any questions you might have and assist you in scheduling an appointment.
