Complications and management of Meckel's diverticulum--a review.

OBJECTIVE

To review the anatomy, symptomatology, diagnosis, complications and management of symptomatic and asymptomatic Meckel's diverticula.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Teaching hospital, The Netherlands.

SUBJECTS: 27 consecutive patients who underwent resection of a Meckel's diverticulum during the 16 year period 1 January 1981-31 August 1997.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The symptomatology and histopathological findings.

RESULTS

15 patients had symptoms and 12 did not. Haemorrhage and inflammation were the most common presenting symptoms. All histopathological signs of inflammation were found in those with symptomatic diverticula. Resected asymptomatic Meckel's diverticula were abnormal in only two occasions: one contained an adenocarcinoma and one a faecolith.

CONCLUSION

All symptomatic Meckel's diverticula should be resected. The surgical treatment of asymptomatic Meckel's diverticula is still controversial.