A case treated by three laparotomies within two years for multiple diverticuloses of the small intestine

• Published in: Nihon Kyukyu Igakukai Zasshi 2010/05/15, Vol.21(5), pp.252-256
• Main Authors: Sato, Takeaki, Abe, Tadayoshi, Tsuchiya, Haruyuki, Fujiwara, Koh, Akaishi, Satoshi, Shinozawa, Youtaro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: diverticulitis; ileum; mesenterium side
• ISSN: 0915-924X; 1883-3772
• DOI: 10.3893/jjaam.21.252

Patients with diverticula of the small intestine are rare. A 49-year-old woman, who demonstrated multiple diverticulosis throughout the entire small intestine, underwent partial resection of the small intestine twice (10 months and 2 months before the present surgery) due to diverticulitis of the ileum. She developed severe abdominal pain and was admitted to hospital again. On CT image, ascites and perforated diverticulitis were noted. Surgery was performed with partial resection of the small intestine. The post operative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged. Thereafter, the patient was indicated for regular outpatient treatment. In Japan, there have been 11 case reports describing multiple diverticulosis of the small intestine, but none of the previously reported cases underwent repeated surgery within such a short time. Multiple diverticulosis of the small intestine are usually situated on the mesenterium side of the enteron, more commonly in the jejunum than in the ileum. However, diverticulitis often occurs in the lower ileum. This patient may develop another episode of severe diverticulitis in the future. Cases of multiple diverticulosis are rare, but may be encountered as an acute abdomen. However, there are no established therapies. To avoid short bowel syndrome due to repeated surgery, such patients should be treated carefully, and needed strict observation by a gastroenterologist.