The laparoscopic surgery for diverticular diseasehas become a very good alternative. The hand-assisted allows combining the advantagesof conventional surgery such as tactile perception, masses mobilization withouttrauma, vascular control with the magnifying laparoscopic view. Difficult casesof diverticulitis can be treated with the hand-assisted approach. The authorsrevised the literature and describe the technique utilized in 2 cases of complicateddiverticulitis.
RESULTS: Two patients were operated on a hand-assisted approach. Onehad fistula with the bladder. The operative time was 183 minutes and hospitalizationperiod about 4 days. Other had a sigmoid abscess. The operative time was 145minutes and hospitalization period about 5 days. There were no morbidities.
CONCLUSION: The hand-assisted approach allies advantages of both methodsand it seems to be safer and fast allowing laparoscopic techniques for complicateddiverticulitis. More studies are necessary.
