Predictors of postoperative outcomes for patients with diverticular abscess initially treated with percutaneous drainage

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate factors associated with percutaneous drainage (PCD) failure, complications, and stoma creation for patients undergoing sigmoidectomy for diverticular abscess.

Methods: Data for patients with diverticular abscess greater than or equal to 3 cm in diameter treated with initial PCD from 1994 to 2012 were identified.

Results: One hundred fourteen patients (54% male) with a mean age of 57 years and a mean abscess diameter of 7.1 ± 2.4 cm were identified. American Society of Anesthesiologists 4 was the only independent factor associated with PCD failure (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with postoperative morbidity (n = 42, 37%) included PCD failure (P = .02) and older age (P = .04), while risk for stoma creation was associated with PCD failure (P < .001), multiple PCD attempts (P = .002), older age (P < .001), Hinchey II (P = .03), and increased body mass index (P = .01). American Society of Anesthesiologists 4 was the only factor associated with permanent stoma (P = .02).

Conclusions: In patients with large diverticular abscess, a successful PCD is associated with reduced postoperative morbidity. However, a large proportion of patients require stoma creation. Significant comorbidity is associated with both failure of PCD and permanent stoma risk.