Meckel's diverticulectomy

Meckel's diverticulectomy is surgery to remove an abnormal pouch on the lining of the small intestine (bowel). This pouch is called a Meckel's diverticulum.

Description of Procedure

You will receive general anesthesia before surgery. This will make you sleep and unable to feel pain.

• If you have open surgery, your surgeon will make a large surgical cut in the right side of your lower belly to open up the area.
• Your surgeon will examine the small intestine in the area where the pouch or diverticulum is located.
• Your surgeon will remove the diverticulum from the wall of your intestine.
• Sometimes, the surgeon may need to remove a small part of your intestine along with the diverticulum. If this is done, the open ends of your intestine will be sewn or stapled back together. This procedure is called anastomosis.

Surgeons can also do this surgery using a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a tiny camera that is inserted into your belly through a small cut. Video from the camera will appear on a monitor in the operating room. The surgeon uses the monitor to do the surgery. In surgery using a laparoscope:

• Your surgeon will make 3 to 5 small cuts in your belly. The camera and other small tools will be inserted through these cuts.
• Your surgeon may also make a cut that is 2 to 3 inches long to put a hand through, if needed.
• Your belly will be filled with gas to allow the surgeon to see the area and perform the surgery with more room to work.

Risks of Meckel's diverticulectomy

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
• Heart attack or stroke during surgery
• Infection

Risks for this surgery are:

• Damage to nearby organs in the body
• Wound infections or the wound breaks open after surgery
• Bulging tissue through the surgical cut. This is called an incisional hernia.
• The edges of your intestines that are sewn or stapled together (anastomosis) may come open. This may cause life-threatening problems.
• Scar tissue may form in your belly and cause a blockage in your intestines.
• Bowel obstruction may occur later from adhesions caused by the surgery

Meckel's diverticulectomy - series

Review Date: 11/1/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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