CASE REPORT   

Chirurgia 2005 October;18(5):419-22

Copyright © 2005 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Intestinal obstruction due to Meckel’s diverticulum. Description of clinical case and therapeutical consideration

Russo B., Barbato A., De Vinco M., Petraglia F., Catalano G., Scognamiglio F.

The authors report a clinical case of intestinal obstruction due to Meckel's diverticulum, caused by peritoneal and visceral adhesions, result of diverticular inflammation. They emphasize the difficulties of the diagnosis that may not be established preoperatively and assert that segmental resection of intestine, including the diverticulum, must be considered the gold-standard in the surgical treatment of this pathology. They analyse the management strategies for patients with an asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum found at laparotomy or laparoscopy performed for other reasons. The authors conclude that prophylactic resection is warranted in order to eliminate the possible future relevant complications because the risk to benefit ratio favours the resection of all Meckel's diverticulum when found incidentally, in the absence of an absolute contraindication.