COMPLICATED MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM. 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN AN INTERZONAL HOSPITAL.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the clinical forms under which Meckel's diverticulum presented, as well as the indications, modalities and results of surgical treatment, reflecting the experience of 15 years in an Interzonal hospital in the province of Buenos Aires.

Material and methods: Descriptive, observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study analyzing the medical records of the General Surgery Service of the San Roque Hospital during the period 2007 - 2022.

Results: 25 cases with acute abdominal pathology due to the presence of a complicated Meckel's diverticulum were found, 21 (84%) occurred in men, three of them under 18 years of age, and 4 cases in women. Of all the patients, 17 (68%) were treated by diverticulectomy, while the remaining 8 underwent ileal resection with end-to-end anastomosis. A Clavien-Dindo classification IIIb complication was recorded in a pediatric patient, who was referred for percutaneous drainage. There was no associated mortality in the rest of the procedures and the postoperative evolution was satisfactory.

Conclusions: Meckel's diverticulum is the most frequent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract.

 Its preoperative diagnosis continues to be a challenge. Although complicated Meckel's diverticulum is considered to be more frequent in children, all surgeons should be up to date on this entity, since they may encounter an atypical abdominal syndrome that reveals a complication of the diverticulum or, above all, with the fortuitous discovery of it during surgery for another reason. The use of laparoscopy allows a minimally invasive approach, allowing timely diagnosis and treatment, becoming a safe, profitable and efficient tool.