Acute intestinal obstruction due to meckel's diverticulum: A case report and literature review

and Importance: Meckel's diverticulum is a rare congenital condition often detected incidentally. Meckel's diverticulum, a rare disease, may result in acute intestinal obstruction and is frequently misdiagnosed. This study aims to report a case of acute intestinal obstruction due to Meckel's diverticulum.

A 61-year-old Javanese man was admitted to the emergency room with a history of constipation, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Physical examination showed abdomen distention, tenderness in the lower quadrant, and hyperactive bowel sound. Rectal examination found that the rectal ampulla was collapsed. A plain abdominal Radiograph showed small bowel dilatation and air-fluid levels. The patient was diagnosed with small bowel obstruction due to suspected left-sided colon cancer and taken up for exploratory laparotomy.

On exploration, Meckel's diverticulum measuring 3.5 cm in length and with a 2 cm base was found about 70 cm proximal to the Bauhin valve; the thin part formed a band that entangled the small bowel. Ileo-ileal resection anastomosis was performed.

Meckel's diverticulum is an intestinal pouch caused by incomplete obliteration of the vitelline duct during gestation. This condition affects 2 % of the population and is within 2 feet of the Bauhin valve. The mesodiverticular band was found to be the source of the bowel obstruction. Surgical resection is required for complicated diverticulum.

Meckel's diverticulum can be difficult to diagnose and require a higher level of suspicion. Although Meckel's diverticulum is uncommon in adults, it should be considered a cause of small bowel obstruction.