Circumumbilicus incision for bleeding Meckel's diverticulectomy.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: With regard to the recent interest in minimally invasive surgery, the authors report on a technique of transumbilical incision for Meckel s diverticulum and appendectomy, which provides better cosmetic results and no increase in complications.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The case records of 18 consecutive Meckel's diverticulum (MD) patients who were treated at Songklanagarind Hospital in Thailand between 1996 and 2005 were reviewed.

RESULTS

The male-female ratio was 14-4 (3.5:1). Of the 15/18 (83.3%) symptomatic cases, presenting symptoms were bleeding 10/15 (66.7%), gut obstruction 2/15 (13.3%), peritonitis 2/15 (13.3%), and intussusception 1/15 (6.7%). All bleeding patients were children (age 1-15 years), 9/10 (90%) Meckel scan positive and 10/10 (100%) ectopic-gastic tissue. Four children underwent a circumumbilical incision. There were no perioperative or long-term complications related to the transumbilical approach.

CONCLUSION

The umbilical incision has all the benefits of a minimal access approach. Umbilical incision is a safe, inexpensive, cosmetically pleasing, and easy technique. This minimally invasive surgery does not require long-term specialized training or special equipment.