Surgical management and complications of Meckel's diverticulum in 90 patients.

OBJECTIVE

To review controversial aspects of the pathology, management, and complications of Meckel's diverticula.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

University hospital, Spain.

SUBJECTS: 90 patients who had Meckel's diverticula during the 32 year period April 1968-May 2000.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Epidemiological and histopathological findings (including a search for Helicobacter pylori); surgical management and morbidity.

RESULTS

There were no differences in sex between patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic disease, although we did find differences in age. Signs of abnormalities on scintigraphy were associated with the presence of ectopic fundal mucosa, although not significantly so. No signs of Helicobacter pylori were found in any of our patients. Morbidity after intestinal resection was higher than after diverticulectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Meckel's diverticulum should be suspected particularly when there are symptoms of obstruction or gastrointestinal bleeding in children. The presence of both ectopic gastric mucosa and ulcers is related to the symptoms and we found no H. pylori in any of the cases.