Diverticulitis and Appendicitis: Conservative Management

Selected cases may be managed without surgical intervention. This approach should be discussed with colorectal surgery and Micro/ID.

• Consider a no antibiotic prescribing strategy
• Offer simple analgesia, for example paracetamol
• Advise the person to re‑present if symptoms persist or worsen.

Antibiotics should be reserved for the treatment of complicated diverticulitis or acute diverticulitis when the patient is systemically unwell, is immunosuppressed or has significant comorbidity. When antibiotic treatment is required see intra-abdominal infection guideline.

For appendicitis, perforated or gangrenous see Appendicitis: perforated /gangrenous