Incidentally Detected Meckel’s Diverticulum in an Adult, Resect or Not Resect? A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Meckel's diverticulum is a true diverticulum that affects 2% of the population, being the most frequent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract and occurs due to a defect in the closure of the omphalomesenteric duct. It is most frequently diagnosed in children under 10 years of age, in whom it may manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction or perforation; however, in adults it is usually asymptomatic and found incidentally during other abdominal surgery. Case presentation: A 43-year-old male, with acute appendicitis, underwent open appendectomy, during which the presence of a 4 x 3 cm Meckel's diverticulum was incidentally identified, so ileal resection was performed, with primary anastomosis, presenting a satisfactory postoperative evolution. Conclusion: The treatment of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum is undoubtedly resection; however. The literature does not define whether a diverticulum found incidentally should be resected or not, especially in adults, in whom the presence of risk factors should be assessed to determine whether resection should be performed.