Pediatric Meckel Diverticulum Follow-up

  • Author: Simon S Rabinowitz, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Carmen Cuffari, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 18, 2010
 

Complications

  • Because the diagnosis of Meckel diverticulum can be quite elusive, a high index of suspicion is warranted to correctly and expeditiously diagnose this condition. Complicated Meckel diverticulum can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, most often because of a delay in diagnosis. For example, a higher frequency of intestinal infarction has been encountered in patients who present with complete intestinal obstruction. Causes of mortality include strangulation, perforation, and exsanguination because of delay in resuscitation.
  • Once a complication arises and surgery is required, the operative mortality and morbidity rates have both been estimated at 12%. The cumulative long-term risk of postoperative complications in this cohort was found to be 7%. If the Meckel diverticulum is removed as an incidental finding, the risk of mortality and morbidity and long-term complications are much less (1%, 2%, and 2%, respectively).
  • As many as 5% of complicated Meckel diverticulum contain malignant tissue.
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Prognosis

  • See Complications.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Simon S Rabinowitz, MD, PhD  Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, New York Medical College; Chairman, Chief and Medical Administrator, Department of Pediatrics, Chief, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Richmond University Medical Center

Simon S Rabinowitz, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, New York Academy of Sciences, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Phi Beta Kappa, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Hongye Li, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Pediatrics, Richmond University Medical Center, New York

Hongye Li, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Nephrology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Alan D Schmetzer, MD  Professor and Vice-Chair for Education, Director of Residency Training, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine

Alan D Schmetzer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Carmen Cuffari, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Carmen Cuffari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF  Professor of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Downstate, SUNY-Downstate Medical Center

Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nutrition, American College of Physician Executives, American Gastroenterological Association, American Pediatric Society, Gastroenterology Research Group, New York Academy of Medicine, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Curemark, LLC Consulting fee Board membership; Centocor, Inc. Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Johnson & Johnson, Inc. Grant/research funds Independent contractor

Chief Editor

Carmen Cuffari, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Carmen Cuffari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Anteroposterior view of abdominal radiograph showing multiple dilated loops of a small bowel with air-fluid levels.
 
 
 
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