Circumumbilicus incision for bleeding Meckel's diverticulectomy.
OBJECTIVE
With regard to the recent interest in minimally invasive surgery, the authors report on a technique of transumbilical incision for Meckel s diverticulum and appendectomy, which provides better cosmetic results and no increase in complications.


METHODS
The case records of 18 consecutive Meckel's diverticulum (MD) patients who were treated at Songklanagarind Hospital in Thailand between 1996 and 2005 were reviewed.


RESULTS
The male-female ratio was 14-4 (3.5:1). Of the 15/18 (83.3%) symptomatic cases, presenting symptoms were bleeding 10/15 (66.7%), gut obstruction 2/15 (13.3%), peritonitis 2/15 (13.3%), and intussusception 1/15 (6.7%). All bleeding patients were children (age 1-15 years), 9/10 (90%) Meckel scan positive and 10/10 (100%) ectopic-gastic tissue. Four children underwent a circumumbilical incision. There were no perioperative or long-term complications related to the transumbilical approach.


CONCLUSIONS
The umbilical incision has all the benefits of a minimal access approach. Umbilical incision is a safe, inexpensive, cosmetically pleasing, and easy technique. This minimally invasive surgery does not require long-term specialized training or special equipment.
Chiengkriwate
Piyawan
P
Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand. Chiengkriwate_piyawan@hotmail.com
Patrapinyokul
Sakda
S
Sangkhathat
Surasak
S
Chowchuvech
Vorapong
V
D000293:Adolescent; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000601:surgery*