Symptomatic Meckel's Diverticulum in adult patients: our single center 6-year clinical experience and results

Abstract

Aim: Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is an embryological remnant that results from the incomplete obliteration of the omphalomesenteric or vitelline duct after birth and it is the most common congenital anomaly of gastrointestinal tract. MD is usually asymptomatic and presents in the pediatric population. In this study, it was aimed to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of MD, which has an important place in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen and is difficult to diagnose in the preoperative period, in the light of current literature and to examine the results
 Material and Methods: Patients diagnosed with Meckel's diverticulum and underwent surgery between January 2017 and January 2023 in the general surgery clinic were retrospectively scanned. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data of the patients were examined and analyzed.
 Results: Sixteen of the cases were male and 6 of them were female. Comorbid disease was present in 7 cases. Abdominal pain (72.7%) was the most common symptom, while heterotopic tissue was observed in 9 cases in histopathological evaluation. Postoperative surgical complication was observed in 6 patients and the most common complication was found to be ileus (3 patients). Mortality was observed in one patient in the postoperative period.
 Conclusion: Meckel's diverticulum should always be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain. Delay in diagnosis and going unnoticed during surgery increase mortality and morbidity rates, especially in symptomatic patients and pathologies associated with other causes of acute abdomen.