title: Symptomatic vitelline duct anomalies in children.
abstract: A wide variety of anomalies may occur as a result of the vitelline duct (VD) failing to obliterate completely. Most reports on symptomatic VD focus on Meckel's diverticulum, while other anomalies are given little attention. A retrospective review was conducted at our institution. According to the records 18 symptomatic children with VD anomalies were seen over 22 years, including 10 boys and 8 girls aged 11 days -14 years (median 7.5 months). Twelve patients aged below 10 years (median 28 days) had patent vitelline ducts (PVDs), 3 children aged 13 months, 13 years and 14 years respectively had Meckel's diverticulum (MD), presenting as inflammation, tapeworm incarceration and volvulus respectively. Two patients, both 8 years old, had umbilical sinus, and a 3-year-old had a vitelline cyst. Only 1 patient with PVD had an associated anomaly (intestinal malrotation). The diagnosis of PVD was obvious clinically, but in 1 patient the fistula was demonstrated by fistulogram. The diagnosis of MD was intraoperative in all 3 patients. Treatment was by various types of resection for PVD and MD and excision for umbilical sinuses and cysts. One patient with PVD developed postoperative intestinal obstruction from adhesions, requiring re-laparotomy and adhesiolysis. Two patients with PVD died from sepsis and anaesthetic-related complications, respectively. Although MD is the most commonly VD anomaly, PVD is the most common symptomatic presentation in our environment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Emmauel A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ameh
authors.forename: Philip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mshelbwala
authors.forename: Mohammed M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Dauda
authors.forename: Liadi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sabiu
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Nmadu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014816:Vitelline Duct / Q000002:abnormalities*