Gangrenous Meckel's diverticulum with small bowel obstruction mimicking complicated appendicitis: 'Case report'

Though Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, it is uncommon in the general population and rare in adults. Its preoperative diagnosis is challenging. While obstruction is the commonest complication, its occurrence with gangrenous Meckel's diverticulum is rare. The aim of this presentation is to report this combination and to create awareness among surgeons and radiologists to increase preoperative diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum preventing morbidity and mortality from delay in intervention.

A twenty-years-old male presented with periumblical pain that later shifted to lower abdomen, vomiting and fever of 10 h durations. He has no history of smoking or diabetes. Physical examination showed tachycardia, fever, and lower abdominal tenderness. Exploratory laparotomy revealed gangrenous Meckel's diverticulum and ileal obstruction by a band arising from the tip of diverticulum to ileal mesentery. We did segmental resection of the ileum containing Meckel's diverticulum and end-to-end anastomosis with the excellent outcome.

Preoperative diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum is challenging because of non-specific clinical presentations and less sensitivity and specificity of imaging investigations. A high index of suspicion can improve its diagnosis. Axial torsion with gangrenous Meckel's diverticulum is the rarest complication. Management of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is surgery. Treatment of silent Meckel's diverticulum is controversial with no strong evidence to treat or not to treat.

Gangrenous Meckel's diverticulum causing small bowel obstruction is rare. Surgeons must have a high index of suspicion to increase preoperative diagnosis of complicated Meckel's diverticulum.