Diverticulitis Surgery
Diverticula are small pouches that can develop in your colon, a section of your large intestine. For most, they are not harmful or painful. However, when they get inflamed, they can cause pain and other symptoms that can disrupt your daily life.
At Weill Cornell Medicine, our compassionate colon and rectal surgeons will discuss if surgery is the right choice for treating your diverticulitis. This decision may depend on various factors, such as the severity of your symptoms, how long you have had them, the risk of complications and how effective other measures (such as medications and lifestyle changes) have been.
Our surgeons are dedicated to improving the lives of patients with colon and rectal disorders and are committed to excellence in patient care.
Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine for Diverticulitis Surgery?
Individualized care: The team of colon and rectal surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine is uniquely able to help patients with complex conditions. With surgery, our goal is to conserve as much bowel as possible, lessen disease complications and help you achieve the best possible quality of life.
Multidisciplinary care from leading experts: Diverticulitis requires comprehensive, collaborative care from both surgical and medical exports. This unique multidisciplinary approach coordinates complex care, providing you with focused support — before, during, and after your surgery.
When you choose Weill Cornell Medicine, you have access to specialists in gastroenterology and hepatology, colon and rectal surgery, radiology, laboratory medicine and pathology, as well as skin and wound care and nutrition.
In addition, our patients benefit from collaborative care with:
● The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health
● The Jill Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Weill Cornell Medicine partners with NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the top hospital systems in New York City and the U.S.
Surgical Treatments for Diverticulitis
The two main types of surgery for diverticulitis are:
Bowel resection with primary anastomosis: In this procedure, your surgeon removes any infected colon (known as a colectomy). Next, the surgeon sews the cut ends of the two healthy pieces from either side of the previously infected area together(anastomosis). The majority of surgeries for diverticulitis are performed by our experts utilizing laparoscopic and robotic surgery allowing for a very fast recovery and minimal discomfort.
Bowel resection with colostomy: For this procedure, your surgeon performs a colectomy — with laparoscopic or open techniques — and connects your bowel through an opening in your abdomen (colostomy). This opening is called a stoma. Your surgeon may do a colostomy if there’s too much colon inflammation. Depending upon how well you recover over the next few months, the colostomy may be either temporary or permanent.
What to Expect During Your Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine
Colon surgery needs to be done on a clean and empty colon. You will be put on a special diet before surgery and may need to use laxative drinks to get all of the stool out of your colon. This is similar to the bowel prep used before a colonoscopy.
At Weill Cornell Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian, we support our patients and their loved ones while they receive treatment. Learn more about what to expect for preparing for your surgery and during your stay.
Make an Appointment
Whether you visit us virtually through a video visit or you see us in person, you can be assured that we will deliver the highest standards of care with compassion. Our team has taken every step to keep our facilities safe for you to continue your care. Learn more about our safety measures and the changes we’ve made to enhance your patient experience.
If you would like a remote second opinion, we can connect you directly with expert physicians and specialists at the Weill Cornell Medicine Colon and Rectal Surgery Division. They will review your individual situation, answer your questions and provide you with information you can share with your family and local practitioner. You can then decide to come to our facilities for treatment or choose to stay in your hometown and receive treatment locally. Learn more at WCM OnDemand Second Opinion.
To request an appointment, please fill out our form. Our staff will help you find the physician who best fits your individual medical needs.
Meet Our Surgeons
The surgeons at the Weill Cornell Medicine Colon and Rectal Surgery Division offer patients the highest level of safety and care. As a top-ranked academic medical center, you have access to our extensive network of specialists who provide seamless care throughout your treatment — to promote long-term physical and mental health.
