Endoscopic evaluation after acute colonic diverticulitis: Review of literature

Abstract Aim To compare the current evidence for routine endoscopic evaluation of the colon after an episode of acute diverticulitis against existing guidelines in the United Kingdom. Methodology A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed using keywords “Diverticular disease”, “Diverticulitis”, “acute”, “Colorectal Cancer” and “endoscopy”. Recommendations from guidelines of specialist medical societies were reviewed. Available literature was explored to assess the risk of colorectal cancer in patients presenting with acute diverticulitis. Results The most recent UK guideline (Royal College of Surgeons Commissioning guide 2014 supported by ACPGBI) recommends the routine evaluation of colonic lumen after resolution of an acute attack of diverticulitis. More recent guidelines from specialist medical societies (European Society of Coloproctology 2020, World Society of Emergency Surgery 2020, European Association for Endoscopic Surgery and Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons 2018) do not recommend routine endoscopic evaluation after recovery from uncomplicated colonic diverticulitis. Two meta-analyses as well as three large cohort studies showed no significant risk of colorectal cancer ((1.22% (95% confidence interval 0.63-1.97) and (0.7%; confidence interval 0.3%−1.4%)) following uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Conclusion Existing UK guidance on routine colonic luminal evaluation after resolution of acute diverticulitis should be revised based on current evidence.