[Meckel's diverticulum. Is it necessary to search for it? Is it necessary to remove it? Apropos of 116 cases].

Of 116 Meckel's diverticula operated upon over a period of 13 years, 35 had provoked severe disorders and 80 p. cent of the cases concerned patients under 30 years of age. Occlusions represented half of the lesions involved, perforations, hemorrhages, and diverticulitis being less frequently involved. Mucosal heterotopia was a relatively frequent finding: 13 p. cent of cases, and was often the origin of hemorrhagic accidents. Asymptomatic diverticula can be potentially pathologic, as 2 carcinoid tumors and 2 cases of gastric heterotopia were discovered during routine examinations, suggesting that prophylactic excision of apparently healthy diverticula should be performed in young subjects.