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Meckel’s diverticulum are common in the pediatric population. Intestinal obstruction, bleeding, and diverticulitis are the most common presentations. However, obstruction due to Meckel's in the adult population is rare yet well documented. Here we discuss a case of a young adult who presented recurrent partial intestinal obstruction.
Intestinal obstruction is a common surgical problem that surgeons face in usual clinical practice. There are many causes of intestinal obstruction, which are either mechanical or functional (paralytic ileus).Most common cause for obstruction with a prior history of surgery is adhesions. However a relatively uncommon cause is a Meckel’s diverticulum. A young adult presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of pain and distension of the abdomen. He has had prior similar episodes in the past which have been evaluated with no diagnosis for his pain.
During this admission, he underwent computed tomography which showed bowel obstruction. On closer evaluation, we noted a transition zone and also an unusually dilated segment of bowel possibly Meckel's. This was diagnosed made after careful and close evaluation of the investigations by MH Surgery Clinic Surgeons.
During the surgery, we found a large Meckel's diverticulum. This was causing on and off obstruction just based on the size and the volume of the diverticulum. The segment was resected and primary anastomosis was performed. All this was performed via a Minimally Invasive Advanced Surgery technique. The size of the incision was just 4cm in size and limited only to the umbilical area which minimal scar. The patient recovered extremely well and remained with significant low pain and was discharged home. Although this diagnosis is primarily reported in children and young adolescent populations, it should also be considered in adults.
Meckel’s diverticulum is a congenital defect and is defined as due to the failure of complete obliteration of vitelline duct and this complication is more common in males. It is presented in 2-4% of the population and mostly it is discovered during surgical procedures. Most of Mackle’s diverticulum among adults is presented with bleeding. Our case report is presenting a diagnosis and management of recurrent intestinal obstruction due to Meckel’s diverticulum.