Nonoperative management of complicated diverticulitis significantly increases readmission risks.

• 33.9% of nonoperatively managed patients were readmitted due to recurrence, compared to just 4.8% of those who underwent surgery.
• Nonoperatively managed patients had 9-fold higher odds of readmission and were 3 times more likely to need surgery upon readmission.

Surgeons should carefully consider the need for operative intervention at the initial admission to reduce these risks.