Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease.

Laparoscopic management of sigmoid diverticular disease has emerged as an important adjunct to the armamentarium of surgical options for this disease process. Although there are no prospective randomized studies directly comparing laparoscopic and open colectomy for diverticulitis, the comparative studies provide compelling data. The magnitude of benefits achieved with laparoscopic colectomy in the hands of experienced laparoscopic colon surgeons may soon be sufficient to make laparoscopic colectomy the standard of care.