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Published on: November 1, 2018
[Complications of Meckel's diverticulum. Report of 42 cases]
Mohamed Issam Beyrouti1, Mohamed Ben Amar, Ramez Beyrouti
1Service de chirurgie générale, EPS Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisie.
Aim:
Our aim was to report the main complications of the Meckel's diverticulum.
Methods:
Our retrospective study concerns 42 cases of complicated Meckel's diverticulum, collected during one period of 18 active years from January 1988 to December 2005. The yearly impact is 2,33 cases/year. We excluded the asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum, of fortuitous discovery during intervention.
Results:
The middle age of our patients is 25 years, with extremes going from 2 to 74 years. The sex-ratio is 3,2. The diagnosis before intervention of the complicated Meckel's diverticulum was not evoked in any time. The clinical features were an acute intestinal closure in 22 cases, an appendicitis in 13 cases, an appendicular peritonitis in 6 cases, and an acute intestinal intussusceptions in one case. In any case, it is the surgical exploration that permitted to confirm the diagnosis of a complicated Meckel's diverticulum. The approach way was median in 27 cases, MacBurney in 13 cases, and laparoscopic in 2 cases. The surgical exploration showed peritonitis in 16 cases, one diverticulitis in 23 cases, an acute intestinal intussusception in one case, a tumour in one case, and haemorrhagic diverticulum's ulcer in one case. The treatment consisted in a segmental resection of ileum with end to end anastomosis (37 cases) and a cuneiform resection (5 cases). The histological exam showed heterotopy of gastric tissue in 12 cases, of pancreatic tissue in two cases, and a Burkitt's lymphoma on a diverticulum in one case. We noted a precocious death following a septic shock.
Conclusion:
The Meckel's diverticulum constitutes a most common benign malformation of the digestive tube. The prognosis is related extensively to the gravity of its complications that can benefit, not only of the contribution of the laparoscopic diagnosis, but also therapeutic.
Insights
Complicated Meckel
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Surgery
- Congenital Malformations
- Digestive Tract Diseases
Context:
- Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital anomaly of the small intestine.
- Complications often present with non-specific symptoms, delaying diagnosis.
- This study analyzes 42 cases of complicated Meckel's diverticulum over 18 years.
Purpose:
- To report the main complications of Meckel's diverticulum.
- To highlight diagnostic challenges and treatment outcomes.
- To emphasize the importance of surgical exploration in diagnosis.
Summary:
- The study reviewed 42 cases of complicated Meckel's diverticulum, with a median age of 25 and a male predominance (sex-ratio 3.2).
- Common presentations included acute intestinal obstruction (22 cases) and appendicitis-like symptoms (13 cases).
- Diagnosis was often confirmed intraoperatively, with surgical exploration revealing peritonitis, diverticulitis, intussusception, tumors, or ulceration. Histological findings included gastric and pancreatic heterotopia, and one case of Burkitt's lymphoma.
Impact:
- Meckel's diverticulum is a frequent benign malformation with prognosis heavily dependent on complication severity.
- Laparoscopic approaches may aid in diagnosis and treatment.
- Early recognition and surgical intervention are crucial for improved patient outcomes.
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