ABSTRACT

Objective: We present an exploratory analysis of data collected on perforated diverticular disease (PDD) in Barbados and suggest possible areas for further study.

Subjects and Methods: All cases of perforated diverticular disease treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Barbados, between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2006 were reviewed. The patient’s age, gender, location of disease, Hinchey stage, operative procedure, rate of colostomy reversal, length of hospitalization, incidence of peri-operative morbidity and postoperative mortality were analysed using principal components analysis (PCA).

Results: Fourteen cases of PDD were treated at the QEH during this period. Six (43%) of the patients had perforated right-sided diverticulitis (PRSD). In the PCA, Dimensions 1 and 2 were the two dimensions examined, as they both had Eigenvalues over 1. Dimension 1 can be taken as an indicator of the intensity of the disease. On dimension 2, length of hospitalization had the highest component loading (0.875). The mean hospital stay was 10.6 days in PRSD, 9.5 in left-sided perforations with primary anastomosis, and 16.2 days for those with a Hartmann’s procedure. The overall peri-operative morbidity was 28% and there was no mortality in the
series.

Conclusion: This preliminary study seems to show a relatively high incidence of PRSD in a predominantly Afro-Caribbean population. More research is needed to determine the exact aetiology of this disease. In our experience, primary anastomosis in carefully selected patients with either PRSD or perforated left-sided diverticulitis (PLSD) may result in shorter hospitalization.