The Damage Control Strategy for the Treatment of Perforated Diverticulitis of the Sigmoid Colon With Diffuse Peritonitis

The best approach for the treatment of perforated diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon is still under debate. Concurrent techniques are 1) resection with primary colorectal anastomosis with or without additional loop ileostomy; 2) end colostomy (Hartmann´s procedure); 3) Damage control strategy; 4) laparoscopic lavage and placement of a drainage. It is hypothesized, that the use of the damage control strategy leads to a significant reduction of the stoma rate. The damage control strategy constitutes a two stage procedure. Emergency surgery: limited resection of the diseased colonic segment with oral and aboral blind closure, abdominal lavage, temporary vacuum assisted abdominal closure Second look surgery (48-72 hours later): Reexploration with 1. definite reconstruction (Colorectal anastomosis -/+ diverting ileostomy vs. end colostomy) 2. lavage, vacuum assisted abdominal closure, third look 72 hours after emergency surgery Within the study, data of DCS-procedures will be collected retrospectively in a multicentric and transnational approach. Those will be compared to a cohort of patients treated with a "no-DCS"-technique (resection with primary anastomosis or Hartmann´s procedure).