Does an Incidental Meckel's Diverticulum Warrant Resection?

Should an Incidental Meckel Diverticulum Be Resected? A Systematic Review

Background

Meckel Diverticulum [MD), a common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, poses a dilemma when incidentally encountered during surgery. Despite historical descriptions and known complications of symptomatic MD, the decision to resect an incidental MD (IMD) lacks clear guidelines. This study aims to assess whether resecting IMDs is justified by synthesizing evidence from studies published between 2000 and 2023. Factors influencing this decision, such as demographic risks, surgical advancements and complications, are systematically examined.

Methods and Material

Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this review incorporates 42 eligible studies with data on outcomes of asymptomatic MD management. Studies, both favoring and opposing resection, were analyzed.

Results

Considering complications, malignancy potential, and operative safety, the risk-benefit analysis presents a nuanced picture. Some authors propose conditional resection based on specific criteria, emphasizing patient-specific factors. Of 2934 cases analyzed for short- and long-term complications, the morbidity rate was 5.69%. Of 571 cases where mortality data were available, all 5 fatalities were attributed to the primary disease rather than IMD resection.

Conclusion

The sporadic, unpredictable presentation of IMD and the variability of both the primary disease and the patient make formulation of definitive guidelines challenging. The non-uniformity of complications reporting underscores the need for standardized categorization. While the balance of evidence leans towards resection of IMDs, this study acknowledges the individualized nature of this decision. Increased safety in surgery and anesthesia, along with better understanding and management of complications favor a judicious preference for resection, while taking into account patient characteristics and the primary disease.

Littre's Umbilical Hernia in a Child: A Case Report and Scoping Review

Littre's umbilical hernia (UH) is a rare disease, the third most common Littre hernia. Most case reports interest adult patients. We reported the case of a four-year-old girl with anemia and symptomatic UH, with an incidentally diagnosed Meckel's diverticulum (MD) containing pancreatic ectopic tissue. We reviewed case reports on Littre's umbilical hernia without a date or language restriction. Including our patient, 21 cases were reviewed, of whom 15 (71.4%) were adults and 13 (61.9%) were males. Complicated umbilical hernia occurred in 13 patients (61.9%) and symptomatic MD in two children (9.5%). Investigations preoperatively diagnosed two patients (9.5%). Eighteen patients (85.7%) underwent open surgery, Meckel's diverticulum removal was performed in 18 patients (85.7%), and primary umbilical hernia repair was performed in 16 (76.2%). Ectopic tissue was present in four patients (19.1%), and long-term outcomes were excellent in all patients.

Obstructive acute abdomen due to Meckel's diverticulum in adult: Case report

INTRODUCTION

Meckel's diverticulum is anatomically considered as a true diverticulum, with its embryological origins arising from a persistent omphalomesenteric duct. In adults, the disease is usually asymptomatic, often being accidentally diagnosed during imaging tests or surgery to treat other diseases, or due to further complications.

PRESENTATION OF THE CASE

We report the case of a 26-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency room complaining of pain and abdominal distension for 3 days, progressing to cessation of the elimination of gas for 1 day together with nausea and vomiting. Since the cause of the obstruction was not clearly identified, the patient's clinical status did not improve with non-operative measures and laparoscopy was not available, an exploratory laparotomy was conducted. In the cavity inventory, an approximately 20 cm wide MD was found in the terminal ileum adhered to the distal portion of the anterior abdominal wall.

DISCUSSION

MD is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, with an estimated prevalence of between 0.3 % and 2.9 % in the general population. The clinical picture is usually asymptomatic, with the diagnosis made either via imaging tests performed to investigate other diseases, or during surgery to treat complications.

CONCLUSION

MD is the most common anomaly of the digestive tract, despite its low prevalence. It presents even rarer complications, including obstruction, digestive bleeding, or diverticulitis. It is important to consider the diverticulum as a diagnostic hypothesis in cases of obstruction without apparent causes, but it does not alter the initial management of the patient.

Emergency Presentations of Meckel’s Diverticulum in Adults

Introduction

Meckel's diverticulum is the commonest congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract in humans that is commonly encountered during surgical practice as the cause of the patient's presentation or as an incidental finding during other unrelated procedures. Most clinical symptoms are caused due to its complications.

Results

The mean age of the involved patients was 24.79 years with slight male predominance, 62.9% males compared to 37.1% females. The mean length of the diverticulum was 55.21 cm. The most common emergency presentation was right lower quadrant abdominal pain in 31% of the patients, intestinal obstruction in 28.6%, acute lower abdominal pain and guarding and acute abdomen in 18.6% and 15.7% of patients, respectively, bleeding per rectum in 2.9%, acute right upper quadrant abdominal pain in 1.4%, and obstructed paraumbilical hernia containing the diverticulum in one patient. Perforation of the Meckel's diverticulum was reported in 18.6%. Histopathological examination showed acute inflammation in the wall of the diverticulum in 37.1%, lymphoid hyperplasia in 24.3%, hemorrhagic necrosis in 22.9%, and chronic inflammation in 8.6%. Ectopic mucosa was detected in 50% of the cases, gastric mucosa was detected in 42.86%, ectopic pancreatic mucosa was detected in 5.71%, and both gastric and pancreatic types in 1.43%.

Conclusion

Long diverticula are more liable to develop complications. At surgery, inspection and palpation of the wall of the diverticulum must be done for any evidence of inflammation, necrosis, perforation, or abnormal thickening of the walls of the diverticulum. Resection of the segment of the bowel that contains the diverticulum with primary anastomosis is preferable to other procedures due to the risk of leaving behind an abnormal heterotopic mucosa.