Meckel's diverticulum in laparoscopic era

• Published in: Chirurgia (Bucharest, Romania : 1990) Vol. 99; no. 4; pp. 227 - 232
• Main Authors: Târcoveanu, E, Niculescu, D, Georgescu, St, Neacşu, C N, Dimofte, G, Moldovanu, R, Epure, Oana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Romanian
• Published: Romania 01.07.2004
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Diverticulitis - complications; Diverticulitis - surgery; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - etiology; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - surgery; Hernia, Inguinal - complications; Hernia, Inguinal - surgery; Humans; Intestinal Obstruction - complications; Intestinal Obstruction - surgery; Intussusception - complications; Intussusception - surgery; Laparoscopy; Male; Meckel Diverticulum - complications; Meckel Diverticulum - diagnosis; Meckel Diverticulum - surgery; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1221-9118

A recent case of a Meckel's diverticulum diagnosed and successfully laparoscopically treated, triggered off a retrospective study on a series of 34 cases with Meckel's diverticulum admitted to the First Surgical Clinic between 1990-2003. We encountered 12 uncomplicated cases and 22 cases with a large panel of complications: 11 intestinal obstructions (volvulus 9, intussusceptions on a tumor-2), 9 cases with diverticulitis, 1 gastrointestinal bleeding and 1 case with Littre's inguinal hernia. Positive diagnosis was established intraoperatively and the surgical treatment was adapted according to the local situation (excision of the diverticulum or enterectomy). Out of 12 patients with uncomplicated Meckel's diverticulum 8 were subjected to prophylactic excision of the diverticulum. In 6 of these microscopic examinations were inclusions of gastric mucosa. Laparoscopy is safe, relatively inexpensive and efficient in the diagnosis and treatment of Meckel's diverticulum.