[Meckel's diverticulum. Our experience].
BACKGROUND
The paper aimed to highlight the percentage presence of Meckel's diverticulum compared to appendiceal pathology in a retrospective study and whether its surgical removal is always useful, even if asymptomatic.


METHODS
The study was performed at the Institute of Emergency Surgery at the Second University of Naples (Head: Prof. R. Docimo) in 1211 patients affected by appendiceal-like pathology, reported to the authors' attention for both elective and emergency surgery from 1973 to today. The presence of Meckel's diverticulum was rarely diagnosed in preoperative patients; it was occasionally found in both elective surgery in patients with other abdominal pathologies, above all appendicitis, and in patients undergoing emergency surgery for acute pathologies (occlusion, peritonitis) caused by the former. The diverticulum was always totally removed (diverticulectomy or intestinal resection) even when it was asymptomatic.


RESULTS
The results were satisfactory in all patients and at the one-year follow-up none complained of discomfort.


CONCLUSIONS
We are convinced that Meckel's diverticulum should be investigated as a matter of course during appendectomy and, where present, it should be removed even if asymptomatic because the problems arising secondary to complications are undoubtedly more severe compared to any discomfort following its surgical removal.
Cennamo
A
A
Istituto di Clinica Chirurgica Generale e Chirurgia d'Urgenza e Pronto Soccorso, II Università degli Studi, Napoli.
Tolomeo
R
R
Sparavigna
L
L
Izzo
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery