An internal hernia caused by Meckel's diverticulum: a case report

Yang Zhang1, Yuchen Guo1, Yuanlin Sun1

  • 1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.

BMC Gastroenterology
|March 14, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Meckel

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Case Reports
  • Abdominal Surgery

Background:

  • Meckel's diverticulum, a congenital anomaly arising from the omphalomesenteric duct, can cause significant gastrointestinal complications.
  • These complications include intestinal perforation, obstruction, and bleeding, though internal hernia formation is infrequently documented.

Observation:

  • A 45-year-old female presented with symptoms of intestinal obstruction.
  • Laparotomy revealed a Meckel's diverticulum causing an internal hernia, which had led to intestinal gangrene.

Findings:

  • Surgical intervention involved segmental bowel resection to address the compromised bowel segment.
  • The patient experienced an uncomplicated recovery following the procedure.

Implications:

  • Internal hernias secondary to Meckel's diverticulum, while rare, represent a critical surgical emergency.
  • Acute intestinal obstruction in patients without prior abdominal surgery necessitates high clinical suspicion for Meckel's diverticulum and its associated complications.

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