Diverticular disease in the young patient.

The records of 115 patients less than 40 years of age with roentgenographic or operative documentation of diverticular disease were reviewed. Ninety-two patients presented with acute diverticulitis; five, with bleeding diverticulosis, and 18 were asymptomatic. An urgent operation for fistula, abscess or free perforation was necessary upon initial presentation in 16 patients. Nine patients underwent resection during the initial hospitalization after a cooling-off period. The remaining 67 patients were managed medically and discharged. Fifty-five per cent of the medically managed patients required readmission during the follow-up period, 23 per cent having a serious complication. Forty-five per cent of the medically managed patients underwent a subsequent operation. Elective resection after a cooling-off period appears to be the safest alternative for young patients.