Spontaneous Haemoperitoneum Secondary to a Meckel’s Diverticulum

Abstract

Meckel’s diverticulum is a relatively common gastrointestinal entity which occasionally causes complications. Meckel’s diverticulum is classically described to mimic acute appendicitis when inflamed as well as being a cause of unexplained luminal gastrointestinal bleeding. An unusual cause of spontaneous non traumatic haemoperitoneum found during surgery performed for a suspected acute appendicitis in a 22-year old female is described. The patient was found to have a significant haemoperitoneum due to a bleeding serosal vessel of a Meckel’s diverticulum. The diverti-culum was routinely excised. It was macroscopically and histologically devoid of inflammation. The bleeding vessel was not found to be abnormal or part of an arteriovenous malformation.

Key Words:

• Meckel’s diverticulum
• haemoperitoneum

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Y.A. Gul

Y. A. Gul Dept. of surgery University Putra Malaysia Jalan Masjid (HKL) MYS-50586, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]