Validation of the Adapted Clavien-Dindo in Trauma (ACDiT) Classifications in Medical and Surgical Management of Acute Diverticulitis

Objectives: To validate the adapted Clavien-Dindo in trauma (ACDiT) tool as a novel outcome measure for patients with acute diverticulitis managed both operatively and nonoperatively. Background: Complications following diverticulitis are difficult to classify because no traditional tools address patients managed both operatively and nonoperatively. The ACDiT grading system—graded from 0 to 5b—is applied in this manner but has not yet been validated for this patient group. Methods: We performed a 5-year observational study of patients with acute diverticulitis at a safety-net hospital. Baseline demographics and hospitalization data were collected. ACDiT scores were assigned, and validation was undertaken by comparing scores with hospital-free days, and verifying that higher scores were associated with known risk factors for poor outcomes. Inverse probability weighted propensity scores were assigned for surgical management, and inverse probability weighted regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with ACDiT ≥ grade 2. Results: Of 260 patients, 188 (72%) were managed nonoperatively. Eighty (31%) developed a complication; 73 (91%) were grades 1 to 3b. Higher grades correlated inversely with hospital-free days (r s = −0.67, P < 0.0001) for all patients and for nonoperative (r s = −0.63, P < 0.0001) and operative (r s = −0.62, P < 0.0001) patients. Hinchey 2 to 3 and initial operative management had higher odds of having a complication of ACDiT ≥ grade 2. Conclusion: The ACDiT tool was successfully applied to acute diverticulitis patients managed operatively and nonoperatively, is associated with known risk factors for adverse outcomes. ACDiT may be considered a meaningful outcome measure for comparing strategies for acute diverticulitis.