When diverticulitis does not respond to medical treatment, surgical intervention is necessary.

When is surgery necessary for a patient with diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis that does not respond to medical treatment requires surgical intervention. Surgery usually involves drainage of any collections of pus and surgical removal of the segment of the colon containing the diverticula (usually the sigmoid colon). Surgical removal of bleeding diverticula is necessary for patients with persistent bleeding. Sometimes the diverticula can erode into the adjacent bladder, causing severe recurrent urine infections and passage of gas during urination. This situation also requires surgery.