Important clinical lesson in a patent Vitello-intestinal duct in a 3 year old male: Literature review and a case report.

Abstract

During the 3rd week of intrauterine life there is a communication between the intraembryonic gut and the yolk sac. As the development proceeds this communication narrows into a tube known as the vitellointestinal duct (VID). With the establishment of placental nutrition this duct usually becomes obliterated by the end of the 7th week of intrauterine life. In about 2% of humans this duct persists and gives rise to a group of anomalies of which Meckel’s diverticulum is the commonest and complete patency of the duct is the rarest. We report a case of a 3 year old male who had umbilical discharge from birth and surgical intervention done without proper diagnostic procedures. High index of suspicion is an important clinical lesson that should be applied in the management of rare cases.