Laparoscopic treatment of bowel obstruction due to a bezoar in a Meckel's diverticulum. JSLS 2011;15(4):562-4
Date
05/31/2012Pubmed ID
22643518Pubmed Central ID
PMC3340972DOI
10.4293/108680811X13176785204607Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84861465606 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 14 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Meckel's diverticulum is a common anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract that may result in gastrointestinal bleeding, diverticulitis, and small bowel obstruction. This report describes the use of laparoscopy to treat a rare complication of Meckel's diverticulum-small bowel obstruction due to phytobezoar impaction. More generally, it provides an example of the feasibility and utility of a laparoscopic approach to small bowel obstructions of unknown causes.
METHODS: A 34-year-old male presented to the emergency department complaining of episodic abdominal pain and vomiting. He had no history of abdominal surgery. His vital signs were stable, and his abdomen was distended, but only mildly tender. He had no abdominal wall hernias on examination. Imaging was consistent with small bowel obstruction. He was brought to the operating room where laparoscopy revealed a Meckel's diverticulum with an impacted phytobezoar as the source of obstruction. The diverticulum was resected and the phytobezoar removed laparoscopically.
RESULTS: The patient recovered well and was discharged home on the third postoperative day, tolerating a regular diet.
CONCLUSIONS: Phytobezoar impaction in a Meckel's diverticulum causing small bowel obstruction is a rare event. It can be effectively treated laparoscopically. This case provides an example of the potential utility of laparoscopy in treating small bowel obstructions of unclear etiology.
Author List
Fagenholz PJ, de Moya MAAuthor
Marc Anthony De Moya MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultBezoars
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Intestinal Obstruction
Intestine, Small
Laparoscopy
Male
Meckel Diverticulum
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
