Laparoscopic-assisted resection of long-segment small bowel duplication: a rare case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND

Small bowel duplication is a rare congenital gastrointestinal malformation in children that can present in various ways and often lead to misdiagnosis. Laparoscopic surgery has gradually become the preferred treatment method because of its minimal invasive advantages. In this case, we report a child with small bowel duplication who underwent resection of the duplicated bowel segment with laparoscopic assistance.

CASE PRESENTATION: An 8-year-old male patient was admitted with "abdominal pain for 20 days." After admission, abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scans suggested a small bowel lesion, possibly Meckel's diverticulum. Following comprehensive preoperative evaluations, we performed single-site laparoscopic exploration via the umbilicus. Intraoperatively, long segment (60 cm) small bowel duplication was identified, and laparoscopic-assisted resection of the duplicated bowel was performed, with good postoperative recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Long segment small bowel duplication in children is extremely rare and poses significant diagnostic challenges. Complete surgical resection of the duplicated bowel is crucial. The single-site umbilical laparoscopic technique can be used to manage complex small bowel duplications safely and effectively, especially in pediatric patients.