Case Report: Complicated Meckel Diverticulum Spectrum in Children

• Published in: Frontiers in surgery Vol. 8
• Main Authors: Gunadi, Damayanti, Wahyu, Saputra, Robin Perdana, Ramadhita, Ibrohim, Ibnu Sina, Lestiono, Andi, Melati, Devy, Permatahati, Winda Intan, Widowati, Titis, Makhmudi, Akhmad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 25.05.2021
• Subjects: children; diagnostic challenges; exploratory laparotomy; Meckel diverticulum (complications); Meckel diverticulum (diagnosis); Meckel diverticulum—surgery; Surgery
• ISSN: 2296-875X; 2296-875X
• DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.674382

Background: Meckel diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the intestines, with an incidence of 2% of the general population. It can present as various clinical features with complications and be life threatening if diagnosis is delayed and treatment late. Case Presentation: We report three pediatric cases with complicated MD: one female presented with small-bowel obstruction, one male with peritonitis, and one female with severe iron-deficiency anemia, without gross gastrointestinal bleeding nor any ectopic gastric mucosa. All patients underwent exploratory laparotomy, segmental small-bowel resection, and primary anastomosis. They successfully recovered and were uneventfully discharged on the fourth, seventh, and 10th postoperative days, respectively. Conclusions: MD can present with various complication spectrums, including small-bowel obstruction, peritonitis, and severe iron-deficiency anemia, which may cause difficulty in definitive diagnosis, particularly in children. Segmental small-bowel resection and primary anastomosis are effective surgical approaches and show good outcomes for MD patients.