MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUS IN CHILDHOOD: LITERATURE REVIEW (Atena Editora)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Meckel's diverticulum (DM) is caused by an embryonic failure where the closure of the omphalomesenteric duct does not occur during pregnancy. Most patients are asymptomatic until the diverticulum becomes pathological. There may be abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding, even resulting in anemia, the most common symptomatology being bleeding secondary to an ulceration caused by acid secretion due to ectopic gastric mucosal tissue. The treatment for symptomatic Meckel's is surgical, and laparoscopic or open diverticulectomy must be performed. Segmentectomy with primary anastomosis may be necessary, depending on the size of the diverticulum and the condition of the bowel. OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY: To review the literature about Meckel's diverticulum in childhood. The methodology consisted of a bibliographic survey in the Scielo and Pubmed databases, from 2000-2020. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Meckel's diverticulum (DM) is a rare embryological remnant, which usually remains asymptomatic in childhood. Clinically, the most common presentations of symptomatic diverticulum are abdominal pain resulting from intestinal obstruction and painless bleeding. Still, diagnosis is challenging due to clinical and imaging overlap with other inflammatory conditions of the abdomen.