[Myotomy: a surgical treatment for diverticulitis (author's transl)].

Since 1973 myotomy after Reilly has been performed on 30 patients with sigmoid diverticulosis or diverticulitis. The operation is most suitable for patients with moderate stenosis and clinically recurring symptom that no longer respond to conservative treatment. When widespread inflammation is present the risk involved in the operation should not be underestimated: separation of the intestinal wall layers is more difficult and the danger of perforation is increased. The operation cannot be used successfully to remove an early carcinoma developing between the diverticula.