Dysfunctional loop ileostomy after low anterior resection for rectal cancer in the presence of Meckel's diverticulum: a case report.
BACKGROUND
A temporary protective loop ileostomy is a routine procedure to protect the anastomosis in patients who undergo low anterior resection for rectal cancer. The aim of this case report is to present a rare complication caused by Meckel's diverticulum.


METHODS
We describe a case of a 71-year-old white man with dysfunctional ileostomy after low anterior resection for rectal cancer due to adhesions and pressing effects of Meckel's diverticulum near the ileostomy site, which led to volvulus of his small intestine and obstruction. As a result he underwent a supplementary operation to resolve this complication by Meckel's diverticulum resection.


CONCLUSIONS
During a low anterior resection for rectal cancer and a protective ileostomy procedure the presence of Meckel's diverticulum should not be ignored. Our proposal is the primary resection of Meckel's diverticulum as the best surgical choice; according to the limited international literature on such cases we report a possible alternative to a protective ileostomy by creating a conduit using Meckel's diverticulum as a stoma.
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Heraklion Crete, Venizelio, Greece. spiridakisk@yahoo.gr.
Konstadinos G
KG
Spiridakis
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Heraklion Crete, Venizelio, Greece. elsfakianakis@windowslive.com.
Eleftherios E
EE
Sfakianakis
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Heraklion Crete, Venizelio, Greece. manthosflamourakis@gmail.com.
Manthos E
ME
Flamourakis
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Heraklion Crete, Venizelio, Greece. thodorismargetousakis@gmail.com.
Margetousakis C
MC
Theodoros
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Heraklion Crete, Venizelio, Greece. xeirourgiki.venizeleio@gmail.com.
Efstathios K
EK
Rahmanis
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Heraklion Crete, Venizelio, Greece. polychronaki_eva@hotmail.com.
Evaggelia M
EM
Polychronaki
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Heraklion Crete, Venizelio, Greece. gkost2000@yahoo.gr.
George E
GE
Kostakis
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Heraklion Crete, Venizelio, Greece. teddypapadakis@yahoo.gr.
Theodoros G
TG
Papadakis
Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Heraklion Crete, Venizelio, Greece. Cristom7@gmail.com.
Manousos S
MS
Hristodoulakis
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000379:methods*; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000150:complications*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions