During an acute episode of diverticular inflammation, the intestine is severely irritated and the entire intestinal wall becomes inflamed and swollen. In severe cases, perforation and inflammation of the peritoneum can occur. In such an emergency, immediate surgery is often unavoidable, but this usually requires an ostomy for a few months. The strategy for milder cases is divided into two steps: First, the inflammation must be allowed to subside with conservative treatment (antibiotics). As soon as this has been achieved (usually after a few weeks), the operation can be carried out very easily and with a low rate of complications and in most cases without the necessity of an ostomy.