Meckel’s Diverticulum Causing a Small Bowel Obstruction in an 80-Year-Old Male: Report of a Rare Case and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital malformation occurring in the gastrointestinal tract and results from the persistence of the vitelline duct during embryology. MD is typically asymptomatic in adults with most of its symptoms manifesting in early childhood. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) due to MD in the elderly population is an entity that has not been widely described in the literature. We present a very rare case of SBO in an 80-year-old patient with no previous abdominal surgeries (virgin abdomen). The cause of obstruction was determined to be an adhesive band formed on top of an MD. The obstruction was relieved and the small bowel segment that contained the diverticulum was resected, and anastomosis was made.

Laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction secondary to a mesodiverticular band of a Meckel’s diverticulum in an adult: A case report and literature review

“…As presented in Table 1, 8 cases have been identified; thus, 9 cases, including the present case, have been assessed. [7,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] The average age was 47.4 (26-80)-years-old, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting were the predominant symptoms.…”

“…Increased awareness and accurate diagnosis are imperative for optimal management. [9] 26 W Abdominal pain, vomiting MD, MDB, SBO 2MO Laparoscopy, mini laparotomy Yes Yes MD, MDB, ectopic gastric mucosa 2017 Yazgan et al [10] 35 M Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting MD, strangulated internal hernia 1D Laparotomy Yes NR NR 2020 Skarpas et al [11] 63 W Distend abdomen, constipation NR 1D Laparotomy Yes Yes MD 2020 Ying et al [12] 50 M Abdominal pain, vomiting SBO 4D Laparotomy Yes Yes MD 2021 Takura et al [13] 56 W Abdominal pain, vomiting SBO 1D Laparoscopy Yes Yes MD, MDB, ectopic pancreas 2022 Alzarea et al [14] 57 M Abdominal pain, vomiting SBO 3D Laparoscopy, laparotomy Yes Yes MD, ectopic pancreas 2023 Chaouch et al [15] 28 M Abdominal pain, vomiting SBO, MD 3D Laparotomy Yes Yes MD 2023 Zaatar et al [7]…”

“…Due to the rarity, nonspecific symptoms, and imaging variability thereof, diagnosing an MD in adults is challenging, frequently resulting in an exploratory laparotomy. [ 7 ] Consequently, herein, we presented a case in which laparoscopic surgery was strategically performed to alleviate ileus, due to a preoperative working diagnosis of small bowel obstruction (SBO), confirmed to be secondary to an MD and a concomitant MDB.…”