Meckel's Diverticulum in Childhood

Abstract

Thirty-three cases of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum are reviewed in detail. The anomaly was suspected preoperatively in only one-fourth of the group. Complications which led to surgical intervention were ulceration with bleeding, intussusception, umbilical fistula, abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction. Case reports illustrate the variations in symptomatology and management. In all instances in which melena was a finding, the surgical specimen contained gastric mucosa. Operative management was fairly standardized in most cases and was designed to avoid narrowing of the ileum. Simple excision, wedge excision or bowel resection usually was performed. Deferment of diverticulectomy was necessary in several of these cases.