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Ischaemic giant Meckel’s diverticulum causing small bowel obstruction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital abnormality of the small bowel, present in about 2% of the population. While typically asymptomatic, MD can cause complications such as small bowel obstruction (SBO), particularly in adults. Giant MD, defined as a diverticulum larger than 5 cm, is a rare cause of SBO and may lead to torsion, volvulus, or kinking of adjacent bowel. Preoperative diagnosis is often challenging as imaging findings are nonspecific, and MD may be misdiagnosed unless complications like inflammation or torsion occur. Surgical intervention, usually resection, is the treatment of choice for symptomatic MD, particularly in cases causing obstruction or containing ectopic mucosa. Although MD can be asymptomatic, the risk of complications in larger diverticula supports early surgical management in symptomatic cases to prevent severe outcomes like perforation or ischaemia. In this case report, SBO secondary to a giant MD requiring laparoscopic surgery is described.

Source: Journal of Surgical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjaf904

Authors: Andrew A V Bernstein, Ravi Aggarwal

Institutions: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Imperial College London

Language: English

Topic: Gastrointestinal disorders and treatments

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,000