Question 1: What is Meckel’s diverticulum?
Answer: Meckels diverticulum is an abnormal diverticulum seen on antimesenteric border of small intestine.
Question 2: How is it formed?
Answer: It is a ramnant of vitello-intestinal duct (VID). Vitello-intestinal duct is an duct connecting small intestine to the umbillicus which gets obliterated towards the end of third trimester of pregnancy. Abnormal persistence of this duct leads to variety of malformations depending upon extent of nonobliteration. One of them is Meckel’s diverticulum.
Question 3: What are the symptoms of Meckel’s diverticulum?
Answer: in majority of the patients Meckel’s diverticulum is asymptomatic and may not get detected. However in few cases diverticulum may result in significant symptoms. These include:
- Blockage in intestine
- Bleeding in intestine
- Inflammation in the intestine
- Pain and discomfort that ranges from mild to severe, may be associated with nausea and vomiting
- Black or Maroon coloured stools
- Anaemia
Question 4: How is Meckel’s diverticulum diagnosed?
Answer: Many a times this is diagnosed during operation. However, if suspicion exists, your doctor may also order technetium scan. This dye uses a dye that can be viewed with a special camera. The dye will be injected into your veins and will collect around the diverticulum. The results of this test can confirm the presence of Meckel’s diverticulum.
Question 5: How is Meckel’s diverticulum treated?
Answer: Asymptomatic children do not require any treatment. Those who experiences symptoms may need to have surgery. Typically surgery involves removal of Meckel’s diverticulum and repair of intestine.
Question 6: What is the long term outlook for Meckel’s diverticulum?
Answer: The long term outlook for children who has undergone surgery for Meckel’s diverticulum is quite good. Surgical removal of the diverticulum typically results in normal intestinal function and can expect full recovery.