Diverticula are herniations through the muscular wall of the colon. They occur where nutrient vessels penetrate the intestinal wall in between the taenia coli to perfuse the intestinal mucosa. Most frequently acute diverticulitis arises from inflammation or perforation of a single diverticulum. Diverticulitis may be uncomplicated or complicated. Factors that influence management include severity of disease, patient fitness for surgery, risks of surgical complications plus surgeon, and patient preferences.