Small Bowel Obstruction due to a Giant Meckel's Diverticulum

Abstract

Background: Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract, with an average length of 3 cm. Complications occur in 6.4% and most commonly include inflammation and gastrointestinal bleeding. Preoperative diagnosis is demanding and achieved in 4%. Case Report: A 34-year-old otherwise healthy patient presented with an acute abdomen due to small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography scan could not identify the underlying cause. Emergency laparotomy was performed, and a torqued giant Meckel's diverticulum measuring 17 cm was found as the underlying cause for the small bowel obstruction. Resection of the affected ileum segment and ileo-ileal reconstruction were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: In extremely rare cases, small bowel obstruction in an otherwise healthy patient might be caused by torsion of a symptomatic giant Meckel's diverticulum.

Meckel's diverticulum causing acute intestinal obstruction: A case report and comprehensive review of the literature

“…The literature search in our search was conducted using the terms(s): “small bowel obstruction” AND “meckel's diverticulum” OR “diverticulitis” OR “volvulus” OR “intussusception”. The symptomatology, imaging findings, treatment employed, and the follow-up are delineated by Table 1 below [ [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] , [48] , [49] , [50] , [51] , [52] , [53] , [54] , [55] , [56] , [57] , [58] , [59] ].…”

Intermittent subacute obstruction of small bowel by Giant Meckel's Diverticulum- a case report

“…It is typically situated up to 100 cm away from the ileocecal valve and occurs in 2% of general population with an average size of 3 cm. Giant Meckel's diverticula are defined as diverticula measuring more than 5 cm [1] . In our case, there was Giant Meckel's diverticulum as it was measuring about 7.2 cm in length and 5.2 cm in circumference.…”

“…Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of gastrointestinal tract with an average length of 3 cm [1 , 2] . This prevailing abnormality usually varies in size from 1 to 10 cm [3] .…”

Meckel’s Diverticulum in Foramen of Winslow Hernia – A Rare Cause of Bowel Obstruction

“…Meckel's diverticulum is a true congenital diverticulum, which is present in around 2% of the population and is a remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct [8]. This diverticulum is located within 60cm of the ileocecal valve, in the antimesenteric border of the small bowel.…”

“…Of those who have the diverticulum, the lifetime risk of complication is approximately 4% [9]. The commonest complication in adult patients is obstruction, followed by bleeding [8]. Diverticulectomy is the wellestablished treatment of choice for symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum.…”