Meckel's diverticulum

A meckels diverticulum is remnant of a portion of the embryonic omphalomesenteric (vitelline) duct. It is located on the antimesenteric border of the ileum, usually within 60 cm of the ileocecal valve. Perforation of meckel's diverticulum may occur if the outpouching becomes impacted with food, leading to distension and necrosis. Diagnosis may be made by technetium pertechnetate scans when the patient with bleeding. Treatment is surgical. If the base is narrow and there is no mass present in the lumen of the diverticulum, a wedge resection of the diverticulum with transverse closure of the ileum can be performed. When a mass of ectopic tissue is palpable, if the base is wide, or when there is inflammation, it is preferable to perform a resection of the involved bowel and end-to-end ileoileostomy.