Complications and management of Meckel's diverticulum--a review.
OBJECTIVE
To review the anatomy, symptomatology, diagnosis, complications and management of symptomatic and asymptomatic Meckel's diverticula.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital, The Netherlands.


METHODS
27 consecutive patients who underwent resection of a Meckel's diverticulum during the 16 year period 1 January 1981-31 August 1997.


METHODS
The symptomatology and histopathological findings.


RESULTS
15 patients had symptoms and 12 did not. Haemorrhage and inflammation were the most common presenting symptoms. All histopathological signs of inflammation were found in those with symptomatic diverticula. Resected asymptomatic Meckel's diverticula were abnormal in only two occasions: one contained an adenocarcinoma and one a faecolith.


CONCLUSIONS
All symptomatic Meckel's diverticula should be resected. The surgical treatment of asymptomatic Meckel's diverticula is still controversial.
Fa-Si-Oen
P R
PR
Department of Surgery, Saint Joseph Hospital, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
Roumen
R M
RM
Croiset van Uchelen
F A
FA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies