Background: Cecal diverticulitis is a rare condition, specially in western people. Its importance concerns of being part of the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis and ulcerated cecal carcinoma.
Aim: To present the experience of southern Brazilian general hospital in the treatment of cecal diverticulitis.
Material and methods: We present four cases of single inflamed cecal diverticulum. One was diagnosed by pre-operatively computer tomography and was treated medically without complications. The other three cases were diagnosed during operation and treated by right hemicolectomy and ileotransverse anastomosis.
Results: There were no deaths or complications. When cecal diverticulitis is pre-operatively diagnosed it may be treated medically. We preclude laparotomy when the diagnosis is uncertain.
Conclusion: We recommend radical surgical management when the diagnosis is made during operation.