Non-operative successful management of a perforated small bowel diverticulum

Jejunoileal diverticula are rare and generally asymptomatic. In the few cases of patients who develop complications such as diverticulitis, perforation, obstruction, and/or hemorrhage, conventional treatment consists of surgical resection. We describe a case of perforated jejunoileal diverticulum with localized abscess and highlight the merits of surgical vs medical management. The patient is a 77-year-old male who presented with sharp, constant abdominal pain just inferior to the umbilicus. Administration of intravenous antibiotics results in complete and long-term resolution of the patient's symptoms. In this report, we establish a framework for safely treating perforated small bowel diverticulum without surgical exploration. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.