Perforated Duodenal Diverticulitis

The duodenum is the second place in the gastrointestinal tract where diverticula occur more frequently, but they produce symptomsrarely. Inflammation, bleeding or perforation are rare complications of duodenal diverticula; their nonspecific clinical presentationmay delay a correct diagnosis, causing serious consequences in these patients. The radiological findings and the clinical situation mainly determine the therapeutic management. Traditionally, treatment has been surgical, being described a variety of techniques, but conservative management is possible in some circumstances. Two patients with perforated duodenal diverticulitis requiring emergency surgery are reported in this paper.