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Perforated Meckel's Diverticulum in a 22-Year-Old Male: A Case Report

Munira Abdul Aziz1, Hamza Shakil2, Haris Mahmood2

  • 1Department of Surgery Dow University Hospital Karachi Pakistan.

Clinical Case Reports
|August 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Perforated Meckel

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Pathology
  • Abdominal Imaging

Background:

  • Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital gastrointestinal anomaly.
  • Complications arise in 4%-7% of cases, with perforation being rare but critical.
  • Perforated MD can mimic other acute abdominal conditions, posing diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the diagnostic difficulties of perforated Meckel's diverticulum.
  • To emphasize the importance of early recognition and surgical management in acute abdomen cases.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 22-year-old male with acute abdominal symptoms.
  • Clinical evaluation, radiographic evidence (pneumoperitoneum), and exploratory laparotomy.
  • Surgical intervention: diverticulectomy and limited small bowel resection.

Main Results:

  • Exploratory laparotomy revealed an incidentally found perforated Meckel's diverticulum.
  • Histopathology confirmed a true diverticulum.
  • The patient experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery.

Conclusions:

  • Perforated Meckel's diverticulum presents a diagnostic challenge, often mimicking other surgical emergencies.
  • Prompt surgical intervention is vital for reducing morbidity in patients with acute abdomen.
  • Consideration of perforated MD is crucial in young adults with acute abdominal presentations.
Keywords:
Meckel diverticulumabdominal paindiverticulectomyperforationperitonitis

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