A Rare Case of Small Bowel Obstruction in a 15-Year-Old Girl: Internal Hernia Associated with Meckel\'s Diverticulum

Abstract

Patient: Female, 15-year-old Final Diagnosis: Meckel’s diverticulum Symptoms: Abdominal pain • vomiting Clinical Procedure: Laparoscopy assisted transumbilical Meckel’s diverticulectomy (LATUM) Specialty: Pediatrics and Neonatology • Surgery Objective: Rare disease Background: Meckel’s diverticulum is a congenital remnant of the omphalomesenteric duct and is the most common congenital gastrointestinal malformation. Most patients are asymptomatic, but a rare presentation is with sub-acute small bowel obstruction (SBO) due to herniation of bowel loops through an internal hernia formed by the Meckel’s diverticulum and adjacent mesentery that forms an internal hernia. This report is of a 15-year-old girl presenting as an emergency with vomiting and small bowel obstruction due to an internal hernia associated with Meckel’s diverticulum. Case Report: We present a case of a 15-year-old girl who presented to the Children’s Emergency (CE) department with persistent vomiting and abdominal distension and tenderness. X-rays demonstrated dilated small bowel loops, prompting admission under Pediatric Surgery (PAS). A subsequent computed tomography (CT) scan was performed, which demonstrated multiple dilated small bowel loops, confirming SBO, and a blind-ending “C-shaped” bowel loop at the region of the terminal ileum. A diagnostic laparotomy was performed, which confirmed the presence of a Meckel’s diverticulum. The tip of the Meckel’s diverticulum was adherent to part of the small bowel mesentery, forming an internal hernia defect through which a loop of proximal ileum had herniated, resulting in SBO. She then underwent a laparoscopy-assisted transumbilical Meckel’s diverticulectomy (LATUM). The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the 4 th postoperative day. Conclusions: In children presenting with SBO, the possibility of Meckel’s diverticulum as an etiology should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention will improve clinical outcomes and avoid complications.