title: Meckel's diverticulum: should it be excised incidentally at operation?
abstract: Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the small intestine, occurring in about 2 per cent of the population. Complications of a Meckel's diverticulum, including hemorrhage, inflammation, bowel obstruction, and neoplasms, occur in 15 to 33 per cent of cases and invariably demand operative treatment. When signs or symptoms arise from a Meckel's diverticulum, morbidity and mortality are high. Incidental Meckel's diverticulectomy should be performed at any age when the morbidity and mortality of the primary procedure will not be increased substantially.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002828:Choristoma / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors