Perforated left-sided diverticulitis with faecal peritonitis: is the Hinchey classification the best guide for surgical decision making?

Background Although the Hinchey scoring system has guided surgical decision making for perforated diverticulitis, what constitutes optimal surgical management is controversial. We report our experience of selective primary closure of the perforation without use of a transverse colostomy and the specific circumstances in which this may be safe.