Meckel's Diverticulum in Adults: Surgical Concerns

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Gastroenterology
• Abdominal Surgery

Background:

• Meckel's diverticulum (MD) diagnosis in adults is rare, leading to varied surgical approaches.
• Current guidelines lack consensus on managing symptomatic and incidentally discovered MD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish clear surgical guidelines for symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum.
• To define criteria for resecting incidentally discovered Meckel's diverticulum.

Main Methods:

• Review of surgical procedures for Meckel's diverticulum.
• Analysis of factors influencing surgical technique selection.
• Evaluation of risk factors for incidental Meckel's diverticulum resection.

Main Results:

• Surgical options for symptomatic MD include diverticulectomy, wedge, and segmental resection, depending on diverticulum integrity and ectopic tissue presence.
• Ectopic tissue location is predictable by height-to-diameter ratio, guiding resection strategies.
• Incidental MD resection is not routine; decision based on age (<50), male sex, length (>2 cm), and abnormal features.

Conclusions:

• Surgical management of Meckel's diverticulum should be tailored to specific clinical presentations and anatomical features.
• Risk stratification aids in deciding whether to resect incidentally discovered Meckel's diverticulum to prevent future complications.