Giant diverticulum of the sigmoid

This reports a rare case of diverticulum of the sigmoid in a 73 years old patient, which presence was detected about 4 years before surgery. This giant diverticulum manifested itself mainly through pain followed by anorexia. On X-ray it had the appearance of a gas cyst. The pathogeny of such a diverticulum is to be found in inflammatory factors at the base of implantation; it results from pressure effects in the diverticulum with the probable action of anaerobic bacterial fermentation. The pathologic examination does not always allow differenciation between a giant diverticulum and a duplication, especially where the later communicates with the digestive tract. The indications and surgical techniques are discussed.