Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
Murine Distal Colostomy, A Novel Model of Diversion Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: July 12, 2018
Incidental Meckel's diverticulectomy in adults
J B Peoples1, E J Lichtenberger, M M Dunn
1Department of Surgery, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA.
Background:
Incidental Meckel's diverticulectomy has been advocated by some surgeons because of the lower associated morbidity and mortality in this setting than when resection is indicated. Others have argued that the low risk of complication occurrence does not justify prophylactic removal. The issue remains controversial.
Methods:
Medical records of all adults undergoing Meckel's diverticulectomy at four acute care hospitals during the 5-year period 1989 through 1993 were retrospectively reviewed. Decision analysis was used to determine relative risks for incidental resection compared to indicated resection for a complication.
Results:
Ninety patients underwent incidental diverticulectomy. Morbidity was 2% and mortality 0%. Four patients underwent resection for a complication of their diverticulum. Morbidity and mortality were each 0%. Combining these results with previously reported results and using decision analysis, the conditional probabilities of producing surgical morbidity or mortality in the adult population at risk by only resecting symptomatic diverticula are 0.2% and 0.04%, respectively. The comparable risks for resecting all incidentally discovered diverticula are 4.6% and 0.2%.
Conclusions:
Incidental diverticulectomy in adults should be abandoned.
Insights
Prophylactic Meckel's diverticulectomy in adults carries a higher risk of surgical complications (4.6% morbidity, 0.2% mortality) than leaving incidental Meckel's diverticula untreated. Therefore, incidental diverticulectomy should be abandoned.
Area of Science:
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Surgical Decision Making
- Diverticular Disease
Background:
- The necessity of incidental Meckel's diverticulectomy is debated due to varying complication risks.
- Some surgeons favor prophylactic removal, citing lower risks compared to indicated resections.
- Others argue the low risk of complications does not warrant routine prophylactic surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the risks associated with incidental Meckel's diverticulectomy in adults.
- To compare the morbidity and mortality of incidental versus indicated Meckel's diverticulectomy.
- To inform surgical practice regarding the management of incidentally discovered Meckel's diverticula.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of adult Meckel's diverticulectomy cases across four hospitals (1989-1993).
- Decision analysis employed to compare risks of incidental resection versus indicated resection for complications.
- Inclusion of previously reported data to enhance the analysis.
Main Results:
- Incidental Meckel's diverticulectomy in 90 patients resulted in 2% morbidity and 0% mortality.
- Resection for diverticulum complications in 4 patients had 0% morbidity and mortality.
- Decision analysis indicated a 4.6% morbidity and 0.2% mortality risk for incidental resection versus 0.2% and 0.04% for symptomatic resection.
Conclusions:
- Incidental Meckel's diverticulectomy in adults is associated with significantly higher surgical risks.
- The potential benefits of prophylactic removal do not outweigh the increased risks.
- Routine incidental Meckel's diverticulectomy in adults should be discontinued.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:27Diverticular Disease of the Colon