Case Report
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World J Gastrointest Surg. Aug 27, 2011; 3(8): 123-127
Published online Aug 27, 2011. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v3.i8.123
Inverted Meckel’s diverticulum manifested as adult intussusception: Age does not matter
Eleni Sioka, Gregory Christodoulidis, Grigorios Garoufalis, Dimitris Zacharoulis
Eleni Sioka, Gregory Christodoulidis, Grigorios Garoufalis, Dimitris Zacharoulis, Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, 41110, Larissa, Greece
Author contributions: Sioka E wrote the paper and was first assistant in surgery; Christodoulidis G performed the research and analyzed data; Garoufalis G was second assistant in surgery and followed up the patients; Zacharoulis D designed the research and was surgeon, supervisor and corresponding author.
Correspondence to: Dimitris Zacharoulis, Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, 41110, Larissa, Greece. zachadim@yahoo.com
Telephone: +30-241-3502730 Fax: +30-241-3501559
Received: September 9, 2010
Revised: March 28, 2011
Accepted: April 7, 2011
Published online: August 27, 2011
Abstract

Adult intussusception due to Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. However, the surgeon should still be suspicious of this condition since the non specific symptoms and the rarity of it make a preoperative diagnosis uncertain. Considering the secondary nature of adult intussusception and the necessity of early surgical intervention to avoid morbidity and mortality, we report two cases of intussusception due to MD in adults. A diverticulectomy using a TA stapler was performed in the first patient. In the second patient extensive fibrosis of the adjacent mesentery and thickening of jejunal mucosa were observed, so a segmental resection of the small bowel or affected ileal part and a hand-sewn anastomosis was performed. The postoperative period along with the long term follow-up was uneventful for both patients. The decision between diverticulectomy vs bowel resection can be based on the intussuscepted bowel condition. Early surgical intervention may ensure a favorable outcome.

Keywords: Inverted Meckel’s Diverticulum; Adult intussusception; Emergency surgery; Intestinal obstruction; Computed tomography; Diverticulectomy