Diverticulitis of the colon continues to be a problem to the surgeon as well as to the gastroenterologist and the internist. The rapid increase in numbers of patients in the older age group is well known. According to the United States Census of Population, in 1960 there were over 9 million Americans living in the age group 50-54 years.20 There were over 8 million in the age group between 55-59 years, and over 7 million aged 60-64 years. By 1980 the population of the United States is expected to be 258.1 million. Citizens over the age of 65 will have increased from 8.74% to 9.5% of the total.7 Approximately 10% of individuals over the age of 40 years have diverticulosis. The increased incidence of diverticulosis with advancing age is well known. Welch23 found that 66% of patients who reach 85 years of age will develop diverticulosis. In