The results of an offensive surgical approach to diverticulitis, aimed at early elective resection, have been analysed retrospectively for 377 patients. 36.9% of older patients (> 74 years, n = 65) showed significantly higher general complications than younger patients (< 75 years, n = 312) with 26.9% (p = 0.03); local complications (18.3% vs. 12.3%; old vs. young) and mortality (1.5% vs. 1%) were similar. Age over 74 years was not a risk factor for a high morbidity and mortality in multivariate analysis. In order patients a definitive treatment for diverticular disease is also possible with high and safe standards due to early elective resection without high morbidity and mortality.