A 39-year-old man presented with a history of fever and acute peri-umbilical pain. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen revealed inflammation of Meckel’s diverticulum. The treatment was a laparotomic diverticulectomy. A perforation was observed during the procedure. There is no consensus yet on the radiological imaging technology considered to be the gold standard for diagnosis. The treatment is at all times surgical. Moreover, there is no agreement yet on the optimal surgical technique, be it a diverticulectomy or a resection of the segment containing the diverticulum. Although there is still uncertainty about the best approach, laparotomy versus laparoscopy, using the less invasive approach appears preferable.
Key Words
Meckel’s diverticulum, intestinal perforation, surgery
What is already known about the topic?
The Meckel’s diverticulum is an embryonic residue, which is the most common gastrointestinal malformation in the general population. Being subject to various complications, its treatment is always surgical.
What does this article bring up for us?
There is no consensus yet for the best radiological imaging technology to detect an inflammation of the Meckel’s diverticulum. An abdominal CT scan may allow for detecting this pathology. To date, there is no surgical technique that is considered the gold standard in the management of the complications of Meckel’s diverticulum.