Title
Simple diverticulectomy is adequate for management of bleeding Meckel diverticulum
Publication Date
2018
Journal Title
Pediatr Surg Int
Abstract
© 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Purpose: It is unclear whether simple diverticulectomy, rather than segmental bowel resection (SBR), is adequate treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) secondary to Meckel diverticulum (MD). There is concern that ulcers in the adjacent bowel may continue to bleed if only the diverticulum is removed. This study seeks to determine if diverticulectomy is satisfactory treatment for bleeding MD. Methods: A multi-institution, retrospective review was performed for patients with a diagnosis of MD and GIB who underwent simple diverticulectomy or small bowel resection. Exclusion criteria were comorbid surgical conditions and other causes of GIB. The primary outcome was post-operative bleeding during the initial hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were bleeding after discharge, transfusion or additional procedure requirement, re-admission, and overall complications. Results: There were 59 patients who met study criteria (42 diverticulectomy, 17 SBR). One patient in the SBR group had early post-operative bleeding (p = 0.288). There was one re-admission (p = 0.288) and three total complications in the SBR group (p = 0.021). There were no cases of bleeding or other complications in the diverticulectomy group. Conclusion: This study suggests that simple diverticulectomy is adequate for treatment of GIB caused by MD. Furthermore, diverticulectomy appears to have a lower overall complication rate.
Volume Number
34
Issue Number
4
Pages
451 - 455
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Surgery
Additional Departments
General Pediatrics
PMID
DOI
10.1007/s00383-018-4239-z