Current indications and role of surgery in the management of sigmoid diverticulitis

Sigmoid diverticulitis is a common disease which carries both a significant morbidity and a societal economic burden.This review article analyzes the current data regarding management of sigmoid diverticulitis in its variable clinical presentations.Wide-spectrum antibiotics are the standard of care for uncomplicated diverticulitis.Recently published data indicate that sigmoid diverticulitis does not mandate surgical management after the second episode of uncomplicated disease as previously recommended.Rather,a more individualized approach,taking into account frequency,severity of the attacks and their impact on quality of life,should guide the indication for surgery.On the other hand,complicated diverticular disease still requires surgical treatment in patients with acceptable comorbidity risk and remains a life-threatening condition in the case of free peritoneal perforation.Laparoscopic surgery is increasingly accepted as the surgical approach of choice for most presentations of the disease and has also been proposed in the treatment of generalized peritonitis.There is not sufficient evidence supporting any changes in the approach to management in younger patients.Conversely,the available evidence suggests that surgery should be indicated after one attack of uncomplicated disease in immunocompromised individuals.Uncommon clinical presentations of sigmoid diverticulitis and their possible association with inflammatory bowel disease are also discussed.

Right sided diverticulitis in western countries:A review

BACKGROUND Although the treatment guidelines for left sided diverticulitis are clear,the management of right colonic diverticulitis is not well established.This disease can no longer be ignored due to significant spread throughout Asia.AIM To analyse epidemiology,diagnosis and treatment of right-sided diverticulitis in western countries.METHODS MEDLINE and PubMed searches were performed using the key words "rightsided diverticulitis","right colon diverticulitis","caecal diverticulitis","ascending colon diverticulitis" and "caecum diverticula" in order to find relevant articles published until 2021.RESULTS A total of 18 studies with 422 patients were found.Correct diagnosis was made only in 32.2%,mostly intraoperatively or via CT scan.The main reason for misdiagnosis was a suspected acute appendicitis(56.8%).The treatment was a nonoperative management(NOM)in 184 patients(43.6%)and surgical in 238 patients(56.4%),seven of which after NOM failure.Recurrence rate was low(5.45%),similar to eastern studies and inferior to left-sided diverticulitis.Recurrent patients were successfully conservatively retreated in most cases.CONCLUSION The management of right-sided diverticulitis is not well clarified in the western world and no selective guidelines have been considered even if principles are similar to those with left-sided diverticulitis.Wrong diagnosis is one of the most important problems and CT scan seems to be the best imaging modality.NOM offers a safe and effective treatment;surgery should be considered only in cases of complicated diverticulitis or if malignancy cannot be excluded.Further studies are needed to clarify the correct treatment.

Suspected uncomplicated cecal diverticulitis diagnosed by imaging:Initial antibiotics vs laparoscopic treatment

AIM:To compare the recurrence rate following initial antibiotic management to that following laparoscopic treatment for suspected uncomplicated cecal diverticulitis. METHODS: We examined the records of 132 patients who were diagnosed with uncomplicated cecal diverticulitis and a first attack during an 8-year period. The diagnosis of uncomplicated diverticulitis was made based on imaging findings, such as inflamed diverticulum or a phlegmon with cecal wall thickening. Concurrent appendiceal dilatation from 8 to 12 mm was observed in 36 patients (27%). One hundred and two patients were treated initially with antibiotics only, whereas 30 underwent laparoscopic treatment, including partial cecectomy (n=8) or appendectomy with diverticulectomy (n=9) or appendectomy alone (n =13). We compared clinical outcomes in both groups over a median follow-up period of 46 mo. RESULTS: All patients were successfully treated with initial therapy. Of the 102 patients who initially received only antibiotic treatment, 6 (6%) had a recurrence (3 in the cecum and 3 in the ascending colon or transverse colon) during the follow-up period. Five of these pa-tients were managed with repeated antibiotic treatmentand 1 underwent ileocolic resection for perforation. Of the 30 patients treated by the laparoscopic approach, 2 (7%) had a recurrence (ascending colon) which was treated with antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Initial antibiotic management for suspected uncomplicated cecal diverticulitis showed comparable effi cacy to laparoscopic treatment in the prevention of recurrence.

Routine colonic endoscopic evaluation following resolution of acute diverticulitis:Is it necessary?

Diverticular disease incidence is increasing up to 65% by age 85 in industrialized nations,low fiber diets,and in younger and obese patients.Twenty-five percent of patients with diverticulosis will develop acute diverticulitis.This imposes a significant burden on healthcare systems,resulting in greater than 300000 admissions per year with an estimated annual cost of $3 billion USD.Abdominal computed tomography(CT) is the diagnostic study of choice,with a sensitivity and specificity greater than 95%.Unfortunately,similar CT findings can be present in colonic neoplasia,especially when perforated or inflamed.This prompted professional societies such as the American Society of Colon Rectal Surgeons to recommend patients undergo routine colonoscopy after an episode of acute diverticulitis to rule out malignancy.Yet,the data supporting routine colonoscopy after acute diverticulitis is sparse and based small cohort studies utilizing outdated technology.While any patient with an indication for a colonoscopy should undergo appropriate endoscopic evaluation,in the era of widespread use of high-resolution computed tomography,routine colonic endoscopic evaluation following resolution of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis poses additional costs,comes with inherent risks,and may require further study.In this manuscript,we review the current data related to this recommendation.

Extensive hepatic-portal and mesenteric venous gas due to sigmoid diverticulitis

Hepatic portal venous gas is most often associated with extensive bowel necrosis due to mesenteric infarction.Mortality exceeds 75% with this condition.The most common precipitating factors include ischemia,intra-abdominal abscesses and inflammatory bowel disease.In this report,we present a 75-year-old woman with extensive hepatic portal and mesenteric venous gas due to colonic diverticulitis.She had a 10-year history of type diabetes mellitus and hypertension.She was treated by sigmoid resection and Hartmann's procedure and discharged from the hospital without any complications.

Role of colonoscopy in patients with persistent acute diverticulitis

AIM： To identify patients with persistent acute diverticulitis who might benefit from an early colonoscopy during their first hospitalization. METHODS： All patients hospitalized between July 2000 and December 2006 for acute diverticulitis who underwent colonoscopy were included in the study. Patients were followed during hospitalization and after discharge. Patients were considered to have a persistent course of acute diverticulitis if symptoms continued after 1 wk of conventional treatment with 1V antibiotics, or if symptoms recurred within 2 mo after discharge. Patients were considered to benefit from an early colonoscopy if the colonoscopy was therapeutic or if it changed a patient＇s outcome. RESULTS： Three hundred and six patients were hospitalized between July 2000 and December 2006 with the diagnosis of acute diverticulitis. Two hundred and twenty four of these were included in the study group. Twenty three patients （10.3%） fulfilled the criteria for a persistent course of acute diverticulitis. Of them, four patients （17.4%） clearly benefited from an early colonoscopy; these patients＇ clinical course is described. None of the patients with a regular non-persistent course demonstrated any benefit from colonoscopy. CONCLUSION： Early colonoscopy detected other significant pathology, which accounted for the clinical presentation in 17% of patients with persistent acute diverticulitis. Therefore, we believe an early colonoscopy should be considered in all patients with a persistent clinical course.

Management of Hinchey Ⅱ diverticulitis

Colonic diverticulosis can either be asymptomatic or present with complications resulting in significant morbidity and mortality.A key presentation of complicated disease is abscess formation(Hinchey type Ⅱ).The natural course of this is unclear and therefore treatments range from conservative approach with antibiotics and percutaneous guided drainage(PCD) to surgery.There is no clear consensus on the exact management strategy.A Medline based literature search specifically looking at studies dealing with Hinchey type Ⅱ diverticulitis and its management was carried out.For comparison,five-year retrospective data of diverticular abscesses from our institution was collected and the outcome analysed.Various studies have looked into this aspect of the disease,elaborating on the significance of the size and location of the abscesses,the role of PCD,recurrence rates and the controversies regarding the need for elective surgery.Conservative treatment with antibiotics alone is effective in a majority of cases with a role for PCD in large safely accessible abscesses.Variable recurrence rates have been reported in literature and elective surgery should be planned for selected groups of patients.

Sonographic findings of acute appendiceal diverticulitis

Preoperative images of acute appendiceal diverticulitis are rarely reported because of the difficulty of distinguishing appendiceal diverticulitis from other iliocecal diseases like acute appendicitis or cecal diverticulitis. We report a case of preoperatively diagnosed acute appendiceal diverticulitis. A 30-year-old female with a presumptive diagnosis of acute appendicitis from history and physical examination was admitted to our hospital. Ultrasound sonography showed inflamed appendiceal diverticula and inflammatory changes of the surrounding tissue. The swollen appendix was detected but its findings were slightly different from those of typical acute appendicitis in the following points. One difference was the thickened wall of the appendix, the other difference was the presence of air in the appendix. The patient underwent appendectomy and the pathological specimen revealed inflammatory changes of diverticula within the appendix.

A rare presentation of appendiceal diverticulitis associated with pelvic pseudocyst

We report a case of a 32-year-old woman with episodic right lower quadrant abdominal pain. With the diagnosis of either acute appendicitis or tubo-ovarian abscess, she was treated with antibiotics, which successfully relieved the pain and the inflammatory findings. She repeated the clinical condition a few times and antibiotics worked each time. In a year, her subjective symptoms became milder, however, a giant pelvic cyst appeared. She had an exploratory laparotomy to confirm this diagnosis. Histopathological studies revealed herniated appendiceal mucosa through the muscular layer associated with chronic inflammation and marked fibrosis. Gynecological disorders such as endometriosis or lutein cyst rupture was denied. These findings represent appendiceal diverticulitis. We discuss the clinical features of the disease and its relation with the pelvic pseudocyst.

Acute diverticulitis in younger patients:Any rationale for a different approach?

AIM:To compare the natural history and course of acute diverticulitis in a younger age group with an older population and to evaluate whether younger patients should be managed differently. METHODS:This study was a retrospective review of 157 patients treated with acute diverticulitis between January 1,2004 and December 31,2007.Diverticulitis was stratified according to the Hinchey classification. Patients were divided into 2 populations:group A≤ 50 years(n=31) ;group B>50 years(n=126) .Mean patient follow-up was 15 mo. RESULTS:The median age was 60 years.A significantly higher proportion of patients in group B presented with complicated diverticulitis(36.5%vs 12.9%,P=0.01) .Recurrence was more frequent in group A(25.8%vs 11.1%,P=0.03) and the mean time-torecurrence was shorter(12 mo vs 28 mo,P=0.26) . The most severe recurrent episodes of acute diverticulitis were classified as Hinchey stageⅠand none of the patients required emergency surgery.In multivariate analysis,only age(P=0.024) was identified as an independent prognostic factor for recurrence. CONCLUSION:Based on the results of this study,we recommend that diverticulitis management should be based on the severity of the disease and not on the age of the patient.

Image-guided conservative management of right colonic diverticulitis

AIM： To study the clinical outcomes of medical therapy in patients with right colonic diverticulitis. METHODS： The records of 189 patients with right colonic diverticulitis which was finally diagnosed by computed tomography, ultrasonography, or operative findings were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS： Of the 189 patients hospitalized for right colonic diverticulitis, the stages of diverticulitis by a modified Hinchey classification were 26 patients （13.8%） in stage 0, 139 patients （73.5%） in stage I a, 23 patients （12.2%） in stage I b, and 1 patient （0.5%） in stage Ⅲ. Medical therapy was undertaken in 185 of 189 patients （97.9%）. One hundred and eighty three of 185 patients were successfully treated with bowel rest and antibiotics. Two patients in stage I b required a resection or surgical drainage because of an inadequate response to conservative treatment. Recurrent diverticulitis developed in 15 of 183 patients （8.2%） who responded to medical therapy. All 15 patients who suffered a second attack had uncomplicated diverticulitis, and were successfully treated with medical therapy.CONCLUSION： Our results indicate that right colonic diverticulitis is essentially benign and image-guided conservative treatment is primarily required.

Subclinical peritonitis due to perforated sigmoid diverticulitis 14 years after heart-lung transplantation

Acute complicated diverticulitis, particularly with colon perforation, is a rare but serious condition in transplant recipients with high morbidity and mortality. Neither acute diverticulitis nor colon perforation has been reported in young heart-lung grafted patients. A case of subclinical peritonitis due to perforated acute sigmoid diverticulitis 14 years after heart-lung transplantation is reported. A 26-year-old woman, who received heart-lung transplantation 14 years ago, presented with vague abdominal pain. Physical examination was normal. Blood tests revealed leukocytosis. Abdominal X-ray showed air-fluid levels while CT demonstrated peritonitis due to perforated sigmoid diverticulitis. Sigmoidectomy and end-colostomy (Hartmann's procedure) were performed. Histopathology confirmed perforated acute sigmoid diverticulitis. The patient was discharged on the 8th postoperative day after an uneventful postoperative course. This is the first report of acute diverticulitis resulting in colon perforation in a young heart-lung transplanted patient. Clinical presentation, even in peritonitis, may be atypical due to the masking effects of immunosuppression. A high index of suspicion, urgent aggressive diagnostic investigationof even vague abdominal symptoms, adjustment of immunosuppression, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and immediate surgical treatment are critical. Moreover, strategies to reduce the risk of this complication should be implemented. Pretransplantation colon screening, prophylactic pretransplantation sigmoid resection in patients with diverticulosis, and elective surgical intervention in patients with nonoperatively treated acute diverticulitis after transplantation deserve consideration and further studies.

Elective operation after acute complicated diverticulitis:Is it still mandatory?

AIM: To investigate recurrence rates, patterns and complications after nonoperatively managed complicated diverticulitis (CD).

Impact of early or delayed elective resection in complicated diverticulitis

AIM： To investigate the outcomes of early and delayed elective resection after initial antibiotic treatment in patients with complicated diverticulitis. METHODS： The study, a non-randomized comparison of the two approaches, included 421 consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection for complicated sigmoid diverticulitis （Hinchey classification I - II ） at the Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf between 2004 and 2009. The operating procedure, duration of hospital and intensive care unit stay, outcome, complications and socioeconomic costs were analyzed, with comparison made between the early and delayed elective resection strategies. RESULTS： The severity of the diverticulitis and American Society of Anesthesiologists score were comparable for the two groups. Patients who underwent delayed elective resection had a shorter hospital stay and operating time, and the rate of successfully completed laparoscopic resections was higher （80% vs 75%）. Eight patients who were scheduled for delayed elective resection required urgent surgery because of complications of the diverticulitis, which resulted in a high rate of morbidity. Analysis of the socioeconomic effects showed that hospitalization costs were significantly higher for delayed elective resection compared with early elec- tive resection （9296 ± 694 vs 8423 ± 968 ; P = 0.001）. Delayed elective resection showed a trend toward lower complications, and the operation appeared simpler to perform than early elective resection. Nevertheless, delayed elective resection carries a risk of complications occurring during the period of 6-8 wk that could necessitate an urgent resection with its consequent high morbidity, which counterbalanced many of the advantages.

What paradigm shifts occurred in the management of acute diverticulitis during the COVID-19 pandemic?A scoping review

BACKGROUND Acute colonic diverticulitis(ACD)is common in Western countries,with its prevalence increasing throughout the world.As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),elective surgery and in-patients’visits have been cancelled or postponed worldwide.AIM To systematically explore the impact of the pandemic in the management of ACD.METHODS MEDLINE,Embase,Scopus,MedxRiv,and the Cochrane Library databases were searched to 22 December 2020.Studies which reported on the management of patients with ACD during the COVID-19 pandemic were eligible.For cross sectional studies,outcomes of interest included the number of hospital admission for ACD,as well as key features of disease severity(complicated or not)across two time periods(pre-and during lockdown).RESULTS A total of 69 papers were inspected,and 21 were eligible for inclusion.Ten papers were cross sectional studies from seven world countries;six were case reports;three were qualitative studies,and two review articles.A 56%overall decrease in admissions for ACD was observed during lockdown,peaking 67%in the largest series.A 4%-8%decrease in the rate of uncomplicated diverticulitis was also noted during the lockdown phase.An initial non-operative management was recommended for complicated diverticulitis,and encouraged to an out-of-hospital regimen.Despite initial concerns on the use of laparoscopy for Hinchey 3 and 4 patients to avoid aerosolized contamination,societal bodies have progressively mitigated their initial recommendations as actual risks are yet to be ascertained.CONCLUSION During the COVID-19 pandemic,fewer patients presented and were diagnosed with ACD.Such decline may have likely affected the spectrum of uncomplicated disease.Established outpatient management and follow up for selected cases may unburden healthcare resources in time of crisis.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transrectal drainage of a pelvic abscess after Hinchey Ⅱ sigmoid colon diverticulitis: A case report

BACKGROUND Acute diverticulitis is one of the most prevalent complications of diverticular disease and may result in abscess formation, perforation, fistula formation, obstruction, or bleeding. Diverticular abscesses may be initially treated with antibiotics and/or percutaneous drainage and/or surgery. Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)-guided drainage techniques are increasingly used as a minimally invasive alternative to percutaneous or surgical approaches, as they are associated with better treatment outcomes, shorter recovery time and duration of hospitalization.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old female presented to the emergency department on account of abdominal pain and fever. Clinical examination revealed tenderness in the left lower abdominal quadrant, with elevated inflammatory markers in laboratory tests. Abdominal computed tomography(CT) revealed an 8 cm × 8 cm × 5 cm well-encapsulated abscess of the sigmoid colon, surrounded by numerous diverticula. A diagnosis of Hinchey Ⅱ diverticular abscess was made, and the patient was admitted and commenced on appropriate antibiotic treatment. A transrectal EUS showed a fluid collection in direct contact with the sigmoid colon. Transluminal drainage was performed, and a lumen-apposing metal stent was inserted into the abscess collection. A follow-up CT scan showed a regression of the collection. The patient’s general condition improved, and the stent was removed during a follow-up transrectal EUS that revealed no visible collection.CONCLUSION We report the first successful management of a pelvic abscess in patient with Hinchey Ⅱ acute diverticulitis using EUS-guided transluminal drainage in Slovenia. The technique appears effective for well-encapsulated intra-abdominal abscesses larger than 4 cm in direct contact with the intestinal wall of left colon.

Differential diagnosis of left-sided abdominal pain:Primary epiploic appendagitis vs colonic diverticulitis

AIM:To investigate the clinical characteristics of left primary epiploic appendagitis and to compare them with those of left colonic diverticulitis.METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and radiologic images of the patients who presented with left-sided acute abdominal pain and had computer tomography(CT) performed at the time of presentation showing radiological signs of left primary epiploic appendagitis(PEA) or left acute colonic diverticulitis(ACD) between January 2001 and December 2011. A total of 53 consecutive patients were enrolled and evaluated. We also compared the clinical characteristics,laboratory findings,treatments,and clinical results of left PEA with those of left ACD.RESULTS:Twenty-eight patients and twenty-five patients were diagnosed with symptomatic left PEA and ACD,respectively. The patients with left PEA had focal abdominal tenderness on the left lower quadrant(82.1%). On CT examination,most(89.3%) of the patients with left PEA were found to have an oval fatty mass with a hyperattenuated ring sign. In cases of left ACD,the patients presented with a more diffuse abdominal tenderness throughout the left side(52.0%vs 14.3%; P = 0.003). The patients with left ACD had fever and rebound tenderness more often than those with left PEA(40.0% vs 7.1%,P = 0.004; 52.0% vs14.3%,P = 0.003,respectively). Laboratory abnormalities such as leukocytosis were also more frequently observed in left ACD(52.0% vs 15.4%,P = 0.006).CONCLUSION:If patients have left-sided localized abdominal pain without associated symptoms or laboratory abnormalities,clinicians should suspect the diagnosis of PEA and consider a CT scan.

Clinical and computed tomography findings of appendiceal diverticulitis vs acute appendicitis

AIM: To study the clinical features and computed tomography(CT) findings of appendiceal diverticulitis vs acute appendicitis.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 451 patients who had undergone appendectomy inour in stitution from January 2007 to September 2012. Patient demographics, clinical features, pathological findings, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. We also compared preoperative CT images of 25 patients with appendiceal diverticulitis with those of 25 patients with acute appendicitis.RESULTS: Among 451 patients, 44(9.7%) were diagnosed to have appendiceal diverticulitis and 398(86.9%) to have acute appendicitis. Patients with appendiceal diverticulitis were older(59 vs 37 years, P < 0.001) and had a longer duration of the illness(4.0 d vs 1.0 d, P < 0.001). Perforation rates in patients with appendiceal diverticulitis were higher(68% vs 27%, P < 0.001). The appendix could be visualized in only 13 patients(52%) among the appendiceal diverticulitis cases, but in all acute appendicitis cases. CT findings suggestive of appendiceal diverticulitis included the absence of fluid collection in the appendix(84% vs 12%, P < 0.001), absence of appendicolith(92% vs 52%, P = 0.005), and formation of abscess(68% vs 16%, P < 0.001). Appendiceal diverticula were identified in 6 patients(24%).CONCLUSION: Among patients who had undergone appendectomy, 9.7% had appendiceal diverticulitis. Patients with appendiceal diverticulitis had different clinical features and CT findings from patients with acute appendicitis.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the bifidobacterial microbiota in the colonic mucosa of patients with colorectal cancer, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease

AIM： To characterize the bifidobacterial microbiota of the colonic mucosa in patients with colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis. METHODS： A sample of the distal colonic mucosa was taken during surgery from a total of 34 patients, twenty-one with diagnosed colorectal cancer, nine with diverticulitis and four with inflammatory bowel disease, requiring surgery for their condition. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the resected mucosal samples and bifidobacterial mucosa-associated microbiota was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by means of qualitative and quantitative PCR. RESULTS： Bifidobacteria were found in 100% of the samples from patients with diverticulitis or IBD and a 76% of those suffering colon cancer. The species B. Iongum and B. bifidum were the most widely found, followed by B. animalis, B. catenulatum and B. adolescentis. B. breve, B. dentium and B. angulatum were not detected in any sample. A significantly higher occurrence of B. Iongum was observed in patients with diverticulitis than in those with colon cancer or IBD （100%, 62% and 75%, respectively, P 〈 0.05）. Similar results were obtained for B, animalis （56%, 0% and 25%, P 〈 0.05）, while B. adolescentis was only found in the mucosa from patients with colon cancer （5 out of 21, 24%）. At the quantitative level, patients with colon cancer or IBD showed lower counts of total Bifidobacterium （4.94 and 5.91 vs 6.96 log Cells/sample, respectively, P 〈 0.05） and of the species B. longum （4.05 and 4.79 vs 6.76, P 〈 0.05） than those with diverticulitis.CONCLUSION： Aberrancies in mucosa associated microbiota are present in different intestinal diseases. This may indicate a role of the microbiota in the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Small bowel diverticulitis with severe anemia and abdominal pain

The current case report is related to a male patient with diabetes, obesity [body mass index(BMI) 33], hypertension and recurrence of anemia associated to melena and deep asthenia. M.P., a 60-year-old obese individual, was referred to our department by the primary care unit(PCU) of our hospital for severe anemia(Hemoglobin 6.5 g/d L) associated to episodes of melena and abdominal pain. In the past 5 mo the patient referred to the local hospital 3 times for episodes of melena(hemoglobin levels showed anemia 9.8 g/d L) but the main gastroenterological exams were completely negative(colonoscopy and gastroscopy). The PCU of our Hospital, after stabilization of the main parameters and blood transfusion for the low levels of hemoglobin, referred the patient to gastroenterologists: the patient was subjected to both colonoscopy and gastroscopy that were negative. Due to the condition of acute severe hemorrhage the patient, during the first 3 h from the access to the PCU, was subjected to arteriography that did not reveal any hemorrhagic foci or vascular alterations. The video capsule for the study of the small bowel showed the presence of blood beginning from the third portion of duodenum but deep gastroscopy did not reveal it. The patient was then subjected to double balloon endoscopy that revealed a severe diverticulosis of the small bowel with blood from the diverticula. The entero-tomografia computerizzata confirmed the diagnosis and revealed an extension of the diverticula for almost the entire small bowel(no diverticula in the colon). The patient was subjected to wide spectrum antibiotic therapy with resolution of the symptoms and stabilization of hemoglobin levels. The surgeon suggests no indication to surgery for the wide area involved from the disease and potential high risk of complication due to the high BMI. At home, the patient started a monthly therapy with rifaximin and probiotics associated to mesalazine. At present, after 12 mo from the last episode of hemorrhage, the patient is in good clinical condition, reduced his body weight of about 7 kg and the hemoglobin levels appear in slow progressive increase(last measurement 13.2 g/d L).