An unusual complication of umbilical catheterisation.
We report the first case of perforated Meckel's diverticulum in a 1-day-old pre-term infant as a consequence of umbilical vein catheterisation. The clinical course consisted of abdominal distension and pneumoperitoneum that occurred after 12 h of life. Perforated Meckel's diverticulum was found at laparotomy. Neither inflammatory phenomena nor ectopic mucosa were found at microscopical examination. Perforation of the diverticulum was a complication of umbilical catheter insertion through a narrow lumen in the umbilical cord mistaken for an umbilical vein and connected to Meckel's diverticulum through a very short fibrous band. A search of the literature did not reveal any similar cases.
Costa
Simonetta
S
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy. simocosta@yahoo.it
De Carolis
Maria Pia
MP
Savarese
Immacolata
I
Manzoni
Carlo
C
Lacerenza
Serafina
S
Romagnoli
Costantino
C
D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000601:surgery*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014470:Umbilical Cord; D014471:Umbilical Veins